Short for alternative account — a secondary social media profile, usually anonymous or semi-anonymous, that a user keeps separate from their main profile. Often used to share content or have conversations the person doesn't want associated with their real identity.

A phrase used in online chat — often in gaming lobbies or direct messages — to solicit basic identifying information from a stranger. Despite sounding casual, it is commonly used as an opening move to gather personal details from children.

A disposable account created specifically to be anonymous and untraceable — often using a fake name and email address. Used to send messages or content that the sender doesn't want linked to their real identity. Predators frequently use burner accounts to contact children.

Creating a completely fake online identity — using stolen photos and fabricated personal details — to deceive someone into a relationship or friendship. Predators often catfish children by pretending to be peers or attractive young adults, building trust before revealing their true intent.

The legal term for sexual images or videos of minors. Producing, sharing, possessing, or viewing CSAM is a serious criminal offence in virtually every country. This includes content that was originally shared willingly — a child cannot legally consent to such material.

Using digital technology — messaging apps, social media, online games, or email — to repeatedly harass, threaten, humiliate, or intimidate someone. Unlike face-to-face bullying, it can reach the victim at home and operates 24/7, making it harder to escape.

A part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software (like Tor) to access. It is not inherently criminal, but it hosts a significant amount of illegal content and marketplaces, including CSAM. Children accessing the dark web is a serious concern.

Messages or media that automatically delete after being viewed or after a set time — a feature built into Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Signal. While designed for privacy, they are frequently used to hide exchanges that the sender doesn't want documented.

A private, one-to-one message sent within a social media platform or app — visible only to the sender and recipient, not to the public or other followers. Most online exploitation begins in DMs, where it's harder for others to notice.

Publishing someone's private personal information online without their consent — typically including home address, phone number, school, or family details. Done as an act of revenge or to incite others to harass the person. Increasingly used against teenagers by peers or online strangers.

A security system where messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can read them — not even the app company can see the content. Used by WhatsApp, Signal, and iMessage. Good for privacy, but also means platforms cannot review content to flag abuse.

A blend of "fake" and "Instagram" — a secondary Instagram account that is kept private and separate from the main profile. Often shared only with a small, trusted group. Teens use them to post content they don't want parents, teachers, or the general public to see.

The ability of an app or photo to record and share the precise physical location where something was created or posted. Many photos contain hidden location data (EXIF data) unless this is disabled. Posting a photo online can inadvertently reveal your child's home, school, or regular locations to strangers.

A code phrase used in online chat to request explicit images or video from another person. Almost exclusively used in the context of soliciting sexual content from minors. A child who has received or used this phrase should be spoken to immediately.

The process by which an abuser gradually gains a child's trust — and often the trust of their family — with the intention of exploiting them sexually. It typically involves building a relationship over weeks or months, establishing emotional dependency, isolating the child from support networks, and then introducing sexual contact or requests. Grooming can happen entirely online.

Refers to physical, offline reality — as opposed to online interaction. "Meeting IRL" means meeting in person. A concern arises when online contacts express a desire to meet IRL, particularly when your child has never met them before.

A code used in online chats to signal that the participant's parents are unaware of the conversation. Appears when the person wants to indicate they can speak freely. Often used alongside POS (Parent Over Shoulder) as a warning system between children — or between a predator and a child.

An early-stage grooming tactic where the abuser overwhelms the child with excessive attention, compliments, gifts, and affection to create rapid emotional attachment. The goal is to make the child feel uniquely understood and valued — creating dependency that is later exploited.

Hidden information embedded in digital files — particularly photos — that records details including the precise GPS location, date and time, device model, and camera settings. When a photo is shared online without stripping this data, it can reveal exactly where and when it was taken.

Warning codes typed quickly in a chat to alert the other person that a parent has come into the room and can see the screen. The conversation typically becomes more innocent immediately after. Seeing this in a chat history suggests your child has been hiding the nature of their conversations.

Deceptive messages — usually emails, DMs, or in-game messages — designed to trick the recipient into clicking a fake link or entering their login credentials. Common in gaming (fake "free Robux" offers, skin giveaways) where children are the primary target. Once credentials are stolen, the account is taken over.

An adult who uses online platforms — gaming, social media, chat apps, or forums — to seek out, target, and exploit minors. They frequently disguise themselves as peers and systematically build trust before introducing exploitation. They are patient, skilled, and often contact dozens of potential victims simultaneously.

A community space within Discord where people chat, share media, and voice call. Servers can be public or invite-only, and range from game fan communities to topic groups. Some servers — particularly those using invite links shared in game chats — have minimal moderation and can expose children to adult content and contact.

A form of blackmail where someone threatens to share sexual images or videos of a person unless they comply with demands — usually for more images, money, or sexual acts. Often starts with the perpetrator coercing or tricking the child into sharing one image, then using it as leverage. Cases involving teens are rising significantly.

Sending sexually explicit images, videos, or messages electronically. Between minors, even when seemingly consensual, this is illegal in most countries — the images are classified as CSAM regardless of who created them. A common grooming tactic involves gradually normalising the request for such images.

Making a hoax emergency call (typically claiming a bomb threat, hostage situation, or armed intruder) to send a police response to someone's real address. Used as an extreme form of harassment against gamers and content creators whose home address has been obtained. Highly dangerous and a criminal offence.

A web browser that routes internet traffic through multiple servers to conceal the user's identity and location. It is the primary tool for accessing the dark web. While it has legitimate uses for journalists and activists, finding it on a child's device should prompt an immediate conversation.

Deliberately posting inflammatory, offensive, or upsetting content online to provoke a reaction — typically from someone the troll has no personal connection to. Can range from mildly annoying to severely harmful, including targeted harassment campaigns against individuals.

Software that masks a user's real location and IP address by routing internet traffic through a server elsewhere. Commonly used to bypass regional content restrictions (e.g., accessing blocked apps or websites). Finding a VPN on a child's device often indicates they are circumventing parental controls or school filters.

Real-time audio communication built into many games and platforms (Roblox, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Discord). Allows players to speak directly with each other during play. Voice chat with strangers presents a risk because it is live, unrecorded, and harder for platforms to moderate — predators use it to build rapport quickly.

A list of pre-approved contacts, websites, or apps that are permitted to interact with a device or account. Parental control tools often allow parents to set a whitelist so only approved contacts can message their child. The opposite of a blocklist.