Cybersecurity firm Eset has warned that online groomers targeting children and teenagers are increasingly moving to multiplayer video games, community servers, and messaging applications.
The warning comes from the company's Digipadres initiative, which noted that digital harassment and child recruitment are no longer confined exclusively to traditional social media networks.
Specialists from the organization emphasized that perpetrators are adopting new digital platforms used by minors in their daily lives to establish contact and gain their trust.
Eset is a global cybersecurity company based in Slovakia that specializes in proactive threat detection and malware protection. Its Digipadres project is a dedicated educational initiative aimed at guiding parents and guardians through digital safety challenges affecting children.
Understanding Online Grooming
Online grooming is defined as a process in which an adult deliberately establishes a relationship with a minor, frequently lying about their real identity or age. The perpetrator's goal is to gain the child's trust before exploiting or abusing them.
While grooming can take place in physical environments, the internet has altered the scale of the threat. Digital tools allow perpetrators to reach potential victims from inside their own homes while making detection much more difficult for parents.
According to Eset, grooming can originate in any virtual space where minors interact with others. These environments include multiplayer video games, social networks, direct messaging apps, live streaming chats, and online communities built around shared hobbies.
Mario Micucci, a computer security researcher at Eset Latin America, explained that geographic barriers and physical contact constraints previously limited offline harassment. In contrast, digital connectivity enables a single perpetrator to contact dozens or hundreds of minors simultaneously.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
The integration of emerging digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, has enhanced the capabilities of online harassers.
Digipadres experts reported that artificial intelligence tools allow groomers to construct increasingly convincing fake personas. These simulated profiles are tailored to match the specific interests, tastes, and conversational language of targeted minors.
Despite these technological advancements, the underlying psychological manipulation strategy remains unchanged. The organization warned that perpetrators continue to exploit fundamental emotional needs, including a child's natural desire for friendship, attention, understanding, and social belonging.
Psychological Strategies and Trust Building
Analysis by Digipadres indicates that initial contact by groomers rarely begins with explicit sexual content or direct threats. Instead, the interaction follows a gradual, calculated progression.
Perpetrators typically start by feigning genuine interest in the minor's daily life and personal hobbies. They build a bond of trust over time through continuous emotional support and positive validation.
Once trust is established, the abuser attempts to move communication from public platforms to private messaging channels. At this stage, the child is often instructed to keep the relationship secret from parents, family, and teachers.
Only after securing the secret connection does the offender gradually introduce personal or sexual topics. If the victim attempts to pull away or end the contact, perpetrators frequently turn to emotional manipulation to maintain control.
Long Term Prevention Strategies
Addressing this evolving threat requires active engagement from adults rather than widespread fear or total bans on internet access.
Micucci stressed that treating every online friendship as an immediate danger is not an effective solution. He stated that parents and caregivers need to provide active, conscious guidance to children as they navigate online spaces.
The security researcher noted that new applications, artificial intelligence tools, and digital communities will continue to emerge, making it impossible for adults to keep track of every single platform.
Micucci advised parents to focus on durable core skills rather than trying to monitor every technical update. He emphasized the importance of helping young people build the confidence needed to spot manipulation, question suspicious requests, and ask for help.
According to Micucci, these protective behavioral skills will remain effective for children regardless of how the internet evolves over the next five to ten years.
Recommended Safety Measures for Families
To reduce the risks associated with online grooming, Eset recommended three primary preventive actions for families and guardians.
The first recommendation is to maintain open and continuous dialogue within the home. While parental control software and clear device rules provide assistance, Eset stated that technical barriers should never replace communication.
The firm emphasized creating a supportive environment where children can discuss uncomfortable encounters or doubts without fear of being judged, scolded, or losing their device privileges.
The second measure focuses on promoting healthy digital habits. Parents should teach children privacy best practices, explain the risks of sharing sensitive personal data, and ensure digital account privacy settings are configured correctly.
The third guidance pillar centers on constant adult accompaniment. Eset urged parents to participate actively in the digital environments their children visit, including learning the mechanics and social dynamics of popular online games and platforms.
