Predators take advantage of children's natural vulnerabilities, such as their desire to appear adult or their need for attention. "Grooming" is the process through which predators play on these vulnerabilities by offering children gifts and attention. It does not happen overnight. Grooming can be a long process that a patient tenacious predator has planned and perfected to gain a child's trust. This grooming may lead to the child's willingness to meet the person with whom he or she is chatting. Offenders will often entice a child into a face-to-face meeting by: 

• Exploiting a child's natural curiosity about sex.
• Lowering the child's inhibitions by gradually introducing explicit images and child sex abuse images.
• Using his or her adult influence and control a child's behavior.
• Offering attention and affection.
• Betraying a child's trust by manipulating his or his emotions and insecurities.

Warning Signs of Grooming or Exploitation in your Child:

• Spends an excessive amount of time on the computer.
• Becomes an angry when he or she cannot get on the computer.
• Withdraws from family and friends.
• Minimizes the screen or turns off the monitor when you come into the room.
• Inappropriate images or websites on the computer.
• Strange phone numbers on your telephone bill.
• Gifts in the mail from someone you don't know, such as webcams or cell phones.