What Parents Need to Know About Online Child Exploitation
Online child exploitation is a growing threat facing today’s youth. From sextortion to grooming, predators are using digital platforms to target and manipulate vulnerable children and teens — often without parents even realizing it.
At Colorado Faith Alliance, we believe knowledge is power — and that prevention begins with awareness. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community leader, it’s critical to understand these dangers and learn how to respond.
Child Sex Trafficking
Child sex trafficking is a form of child abuse that occurs when a child under 18 is advertised, solicited, or exploited through a commercial sex act, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
A commercial sex act involves the exchange of something of value — such as money, food, drugs, or shelter — for sexual activity.
Traffickers often use online platforms to build trust with their victims, pretending to offer friendship, love, or opportunity before coercing them into dangerous situations. This is one of the most serious forms of online child exploitation.
Sexting
Sexting is the sharing of sexually explicit messages or images via digital devices. It can happen through text messages, apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp, or even online gaming platforms.
According to the American Psychological Association,
15% of teens have sent a sext
27% of teens have received one
Though it may seem like typical teen behavior, sexting can quickly lead to exploitation if images fall into the wrong hands
Sextortion
Sextortion is a serious form of online child exploitation. It involves blackmail, where a perpetrator threatens to share a child’s private photos or information unless the child sends more explicit content, performs sexual acts, or pays money.
Tactics used by perpetrators include:
Pretending to be someone they’re not
Gaining the child’s trust
Threatening harm to friends or family
Grooming
Grooming is the manipulative process of building trust with a child — and sometimes their family — to exploit them for sexual purposes. It often begins online through friendly conversations, gift-giving, and emotional bonding.
Warning signs of grooming include:
Flattery or excessive compliments
Isolating the child from friends and family
Secretive behavior or contact through private messages
Grooming is often the first step in a broader pattern of online child exploitation.
Protect Your Community: Book a Free CFA Awareness Presentation
Empower your family, school, church, or organization with the knowledge and tools to recognize and prevent online child exploitation.
Colorado Faith Alliance offers free, in-person or virtual awareness presentations designed to:
Educate on digital dangers and red flags
Equip parents, leaders, and teens with prevention strategies
Mobilize your community to protect Colorado’s most vulnerable children
👉 Book a presentation today and help stop child exploitation before it starts.
Book a PresentationChild Sex Trafficking
Sexting
Sextortion
Grooming