Features of online grooming as a form of sexual exploitation of minors (based on the analysis of communication between adults and children in the Internet)

Abstract

Online grooming as a form of sexual exploitation of minors is a serious problem for the modern world. This phenomenon is actively reflected in foreign studies, yet in Russia it is still insufficiently studied, despite its high occurrence. Using 67 indicators of communicative activities, 77 transcripts of Internet correspondence between adults and minors with sexual content and including the implementation of online grooming were analyzed. As a result of a qualitative analysis and implementation of descriptive statistics methods, 3 main communicative goals that adults pursued were identified. It is emphasized that almost all adults expressed a desire to have sex with minors in the real world. The article presents the main stages of communication between adults and minors and the implemented grooming tactics. Special attention is devoted to the peculiarities of the reaction of minors to online grooming. A conclusion about the general vulnerability of minors to sexual harassment is made, as well as a conclusion about the need for further research on online grooming and the development of preventive measures.