Internet Predator Styles

Whether we like it or not, internet predators are rampant and targeting children and teens for sexual exploitation. They do not sound like the horrible monsters that they are when you start talking to them on the internet. As the conversations progress, the true horror of what an adult is saying to a minor and teen begins to sink into reality.

The most common place for internet predators are the chat rooms, instant messages and public web spaces. It is in these places that internet predators sit and plot their tactics with minors and teens. Their compulsion to make contact with a teen or minor is addictive and virtually impossible for internet predators to control.

Internet Predator Style: Tactics

An internet predator first will establish that it is safe to talk to the teen or child. The predator will find out if the teen is living with one or two parents. Is the parent home? Is the parent asleep? Is the computer in the main room or the bedroom?

The next step of the conversation will be to establish a bond with the child. What kind of music does the teen like? What type of pet does the child have? Anything that can be common between the two will be used by the internet predator.

After these basic tactics have been established with the teen, the internet predator style will influence how the rest of the conversation unfolds with the child. While no two internet predators are exactly the same, there are several patterns that are typical in predator styles.

Internet Predator Style: Groomer

A groomer is viewed by many as one of the most dangerous types of pedophiles both on and off of the internet. A groomer approaches a teen with a parenting and concerned attitude. The majority of groomers will actually tell the minor who is being stalked that they should not be on the internet.

Groomers will encourage teens to go shop with their friends; do their homework; spend more time outside; to get along with the parents and other parental type of advice. Groomers come across as being a helpful and concerned adult instead of a monster waiting for the right time to leap on the teen.