There’s grooming, doxxing, sexploitation and vaping. They are some of the most sinister risks for kids and teens, and parents need to know the risks and warning signs. Sometimes the goal is a sex crime, sometimes it’s for the joy of hurting someone, sometimes it’s an attempt to make money. Those are some of the daunting scenarios federal and local law enforcement talked about at the recent Child Safety Symposium in Richboro, Bucks County. Action Karate attended the event due to the shared goal of keeping kids safe and to gain information to share with parents.

The issues are prevalent and getting worse. Reports of dangerous, abusive online behavior are going up every year, according to the FBI. On the same day the event was held, local news reported stories about teenage girls finding out someone made artificial intelligence images of them without clothes on.

How Predators Get Access to Kids

He said that several officials in Bucks County, Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad organized the event attended by dozens of first responders. Tri-Hampton’s Battalion Chief Jay Colella is a third-degree black belt and part of the Action family..

The FBI and other federal law enforcement agents said it’s important to understand how much grooming happens online. Grooming is a deliberate process used to gain trust, lessen a child’s inhibitions, and reduce their resistance to inappropriate behavior, and it is subtle, gradually increasing without the child realizing it.

It starts with a line as simple as “Can I see your shirt?” and the offenders soon ask for edgier images. Common grooming tactics include:

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  Isolation — Encouraging the child to spend more time online, especially alone.
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  Gifts or special treatment — Offering money, digital items, or “exclusive” attention.
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  Secrets — Telling the child they have a “special” relationship that must be kept private.
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  Gradual escalation — Starting with harmless conversation or photos, then pushing boundaries over time.

Some offenders pose as helpful “protectors,” using multiple false identities to appear trustworthy or heroic against their bullying identity. Others impersonate children to blend into youth spaces. These are not rare incidents in the dark recesses of the web. These predators are on every social media and gaming app, the FBI said.

Doxxing, Sextortion & the Shame Trap

Federal investigators are seeing an increase in groups that encourage vulnerable youth to engage in hurting people around them or self-harm. These groups use doxxing as a tactic — the process of searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the internet, typically with malicious intent.

A common offense is sextortion — when someone threatens to release private images unless they are paid or given even more graphic content. In this type of crime, many offenders are located overseas, making prosecution difficult. Boys ages 9–17 are increasingly targeted, often for money rather than sexual motives. The approach is simple: a perpetrator poses as a teenage girl and asks for images. The boys comply, and the perpetrator threatens to send them to friends and family if they don’t send money. Some victims become overwhelmed by fear, shame, or threats and feel trapped. The threats come fast and unrelenting until a child feels pressured to act.

What You Can Do TODAY — Don’t Wait

The threats are real, and they are happening right now. The good news is there are simple, powerful steps you can take immediately to protect your child. Don’t wait for a warning sign — start today.

• Start the conversation.

  Talk to your child openly about what’s happening online. Use real examples. Ask who they’re talking to, what apps they’re using, and how those interactions make them feel. Make this an ongoing conversation — not a one-time lecture.

• Make it safe to tell you anything.

  Your child needs to know that if something happens, they will not be in trouble. Fear of punishment is one of the biggest reasons kids stay silent. Say it clearly: “You can always come to me — no matter what.”

• Set clear boundaries for device use.

  Keep phones and devices out of bedrooms and bathrooms. Establish charging stations in shared spaces overnight. These small changes dramatically reduce risk.

• Know their digital world.

  Download the apps they use. Understand how they work. Check privacy settings together. Follow or friend your child where appropriate — not to spy, but to stay aware.

• Watch for changes.

  Trust your instincts. Sudden secrecy, anxiety around devices, withdrawal, or unexplained gifts are signals to lean in, not pull away.

• Teach them how manipulation works.

  Explain grooming, sextortion, and doxxing in age-appropriate ways. When kids understand the tactics, they are far less likely to fall for them.

• Have a plan before there’s a problem.

  Decide now: if something happens, you will stay calm, not delete evidence, and report it immediately. Early action protects your child and others. Victim assistance professionals are trained to conduct trauma-informed interviews.

• Remind them: nothing online is ever truly private.

  Screenshots exist. Messages can be saved. There are no “take backs.” Helping kids understand this reality empowers better choices.

• This is not about fear — it’s about preparation.

  The most powerful protection you can give your child is a strong relationship, open communication, and clear boundaries. Start today.