How to Avoid Online Stranger Danger

In the MENA region, cyber-bullying, online harassment, trolling, grooming and indecent extortion are main concerns for children (UNICEF) What Online Criminals Do to Groom Children - Target vulnerable victims and take advantage of their emotional, mental, or social situation. - Take time in befriending and gaining the trust of the victim. - Capitalize the victim and maintain control of them through threats, violence, fear, and blackmail. What Do Online Criminals Do to Stalk Victims - Constantly and repeatedly send disturbing messages to the victim. - Usually threaten or intimidate the victim. - Might use many different platforms to target the victim. How to Avoid Online Stranger Danger - Don’t accept friend requests from strangers or suspicious accounts. - Don’t engage with strangers on anonymous platforms. - Don’t give away your phone number or address to strangers. - Don’t send pictures of yourself or receive video calls from anonymous people. - Never arrange one on one meetings with people you only know online. - Keep record of the online criminals' messages. - Report stalkers and online criminals to the platform or competent authorities. - It's always fun to meet new people, but never trust strangers on the internet in order to protect yourself and your children from any material or moral danger