Study reveals children identify online grooming ‘red flags’

 

by: Gelaine Gutierrez

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — A new global study by Save the Children challenges the stereotype that children are easily manipulated online, revealing that many are adept at recognizing “red flags” in digital interactions.

The 2024 study, titled “Protecting Children from Online Grooming,” was conducted in collaboration with Safe Online and Western Sydney University’s Young and Resilient Research Centre, engaging 604 children across seven countries, including the Philippines.

The study found that children are guided by their instincts and often take the time to assess who they communicate with online.

“A series of red flags signal that a contact cannot be trusted and may warrant blocking or deleting them from their online networks,” the study noted. These warning signs include inappropriate comments about a child’s body or appearance, probing questions about their location or school, and requests for personal information.

While many children exhibit awareness of potential dangers, they remain vulnerable to online groomers due to desires for friendship or financial incentives that can cloud their judgment.

“The findings challenge the stereotype that children are naïve in digital spaces. However, there is still an urgent need to strengthen accessible online safety education, especially for young girls in disadvantaged communities,” said Wilma Banaga, Protection Adviser at Save the Children Philippines.

Children participating in the study expressed a clear desire for education on identifying online risks, discerning safe and unsafe information to share, and knowing how to report inappropriate behavior.

In response, Save the Children Philippines has been actively implementing programs to combat Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Material (CSAEM).

Since 2020, the organization has trained over 24,600 children in high-risk areas, including Metro Manila, Cavite, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, and General Santos City.

“We welcome and recognize children’s existing awareness of threats in what their generation considers their ‘playground.’ By building on their knowledge, we can better equip them to navigate digital spaces safely and confidently,” Banaga added.

The organization’s efforts align with Republic Act 11930, the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act, which was championed in legislation in 2022. Save the Children Philippines remains committed to reinforcing education and information campaigns to empower children with safer online behaviors.

For those who suspect or witness cases of OSAEC, immediate reporting is encouraged through the Makabata Helpline at 1383, or the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center’s Aleng Pulis hotline at 0919-777-7377. For more information on protecting children online, visit www.savethechildren.org.ph.