Today, technology and the internet are available to everyone. Because of this, terms such as sexting and cyberbullying are unfortunately, all too familiar. As parents, we need to always be aware of what is happening online to protect our children. But have you heard about this recent, little-known phenomenon?

What is child grooming?

Child grooming refers to an adult who seeks out children online to gain their trust. They'll pose as another child, with the eventual aim of requesting sexual or erotic images.

This is occurs through social networks, chats, email, mobile phones and webcams - platforms our children use every day.

Grooming begins in cyberspace, but unfortunately can transcend into the "real" world and turn your children into victims of trafficking and prostitution, child pornography or other types of child abuse.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), recruiting children for sexual purposes may take a few minutes, hours, days or months, depending on the aggressor's goals and needs as well as the reactions of children.

The UNICEF estimates that nearly 1.2 million children and adolescents are trafficked worldwide each year. This is the third most profitable crime (right after drug and arms trafficking) generating between 8 billion and 10 billion dollars a year.

These criminals use very seductive techniques. They first become the child's friend. They gather personal information they can use to manipulate the child and sell that information to others for money.

Once the child realizes who they are talking to isn't a friend, the adult will harass the child. Threats to hurt the child's family or making pictures public are used as blackmail; usually, promises to make it all stop are made, as long as the child meets them in person.

What can you do to prevent this from happening to your kids?

1. Stay informed

Be informed so you can prevent this from happening. Keep others (like your children, family, schoolmates, teachers) in the loop too, and recruit them to monitor computer time in the home and at school.

2. Talk to your children

Remember that your children can access the internet anywhere; isolating them from technology isn't the solution. It's best to explain what child grooming is (on an age appropriate level). Tell them that they should never share any sort of personal photos or videos online.

3. Help your children take care of themselves

It's important for children to know how to keep themselves safe online. Teach them not to contact strangers on social networks and tell them to never provide personal information to anyone online. To help add an extra layer of protection, monitor your child's internet usage and keep all of their privacy settings on the highest level.

4. Listen to your children and, if necessary, report it

It's very important that children feel like they can tell you if something like this happens to them. If the situation arises, do not blame your child. Believe what your child tells you and immediately report the situation to the local police.

We help boost our children's self-esteem by talking with them and providing moments of quality, trust, respect and love. Our children will only let us know if something is wrong if they know they are trusted and loved. We can all become more protective adults who care for and watch over the children in our lives.

This article has been translated and adapted from the original,Cuidemos a nuestros niños del 'grooming', el nuevo peligro en la red. It was originally published on familias.com.

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As parents in a technology-heavy world, we're familiar with terms like sexting and cyber bullying. But there is now something new we need to be aware of as well: grooming.

What is grooming?

Grooming is when an adult pretending to be a child or teen online becomes friends with another child or teen in order to ask for sexual or erotic images. This occurs through social networks, chats, email, mobile phones and webcams.

Although this starts in cyberspace, it unfortunately can transcend the "real" world and turn children into victims of trafficking and prostitution, child pornography or other types of abuse.

Recruiting minors for sexual purposes may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few months, depending on the goals of the offender, as well as the reactions of the child, according to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

The United Nations (UN) estimates that about 1.2 million children and adolescents are trafficked worldwide each year.

Some criminals have up to 200 conversations at a time with minors through chats, social networking or instant messaging, according to the UN.

The techniques used by these criminals are very seductive. They engage victims in such a way that they become friends, give them confidence, and know all about their problems and the things they like. Eventually predators get them to provide personal data; They get everything necessary to stay close to the children and achieve their goal.

Once they have ensnared a child, the harassment begins. The predator threatens to hurt the family or publish images that have been sent as they increasingly seek for pornographic material. Sometimes they even physically meet the minor to sexually abuse him or her.

What can you do to prevent this from happening to your children?

1. Stay informed

The first step to prevent grooming is to be informed, because the risks are great. It is essential to spread information on this topic starting with those around us — children, nephews, schoolmates and teachers.

2. Talk with your kids

These days, you can't keep your kids away from social media or technology. The Internet is everywhere. But you CAN explain what grooming is and its consequences. Make sure they know they should never share personal photos or videos online, as well as give some the ability to access these photos or turn on the webcam to undress.

3. Help your children to take care of themselves

Teach your children how to watch out for themselves on the Internet. They should know not to chat with strangers on social networks, or provide personal information, like names of parents and family members, the school they attend, if they have brothers and sisters, an address or phone numbers.

4. Listen to your children and report if necessary

It is very important that children feel comfortable enough to speak up if something like this happens to them. If the situation arises, do not blame your children. Trust what your child tells you and file a complaint through the cyber police or the other authorities immediately.

Children form self-esteem at home. You help them develop this by talking to them, providing quality time, and trusting, respecting and loving them. It's only then that you can give them necessary tools to help protect themselves and not fall into the hands of unscrupulous people. Every adult can become a protector who cares for and monitors the healthy development of children.

This is a translated version of, "Cuidemos a nuestros ninos del 'grooming', el Nuevo peligro en la red," which was originally translated on familias.com.

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Lately, our society has had an alarming increase in divorce. This affects the family nucleus and creates several conflicts between adults and children. In each affected family, all members are harmed by this situation. It is very common that certain feelings appear such as anger, frustration, sadness, insecurity and fear. It is normal to go through these feelings because a divorce is a huge loss that causes serious changes in life. Here are some tips on how to tell your children about your divorce.

Usually, many families do not know how to handle this situation, and the couple ends up in a custody battle; dividing up assets, determining child support, etc. In a conflictive divorce, children are the most affected because they lack the necessary tools to cope with this family loss. As a result, the kids are the first victims of the accusing parent's anger.

All these things can cause certain behavioral patterns in children. For example, throwing tantrums, poor academic performance, solitude and maintaining distance from other peers at school, speech impediments and delays, regressions to previous stages, such as bedwetting and returning to transition objects such as a blanket or stuffed toy. These are some of the frequent symptoms. If you are going through a similar situation, or if you know somebody who is, here are some useful suggestions:

1. When parents go through a divorce, the children don't

Although the couple's relationship is terminated, the bond with the children is not. Each ex-spouse should get along with the other for the children's well-being. Although this may not be easy, it is not impossible.

2. Seek help from a competent professional

These situations are appropriate for people to seek psychological support in order to help the children go through this process of loss and to understand that it is possible to continue being good parents even though both are not sharing the house.

3. Choose a good lawyer

Unfortunately, there are some people who make money out of the difficulties that people go through while facing a divorce. Since money is their only interest, they suggest their clients say negative things about their ex-spouse in order to gain vengeance. Nevertheless, this will only cause resentment and harm to the little ones that are in the middle of the problem.

4. In order to be healthy, children need a family

It is important that the children keep in contact with both sides of the extended family. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and other family members make it possible for the children to grow and develop in a healthy way. Here are some ideas on how to help a child handle the changes of divorce.

5. Avoid saying negative things about the absent parent. Avoid allowing other people to do this, as well.

It is common that amidst the conflict, one of the parents begins saying negative things about the other. Besides harming the ex-spouse, this action affects the children and places them in a very uncomfortable situation. This happens because they are going through a very difficult moment by seeing their family falling apart. It is not healthy for children to be forced to choose one parent over the other. They didn't choose to be in the middle of the problem. It is also important for you to prevent other people from doing the same regardless of their anger toward your former spouse.

It is necessary to give preference to the children's well-being over the anger and frustration we feel as adults. This will help them feel loved and protected by their parents, even when they are no longer together. While there will always be differences, it is possible to reach agreements and maintain healthy relationships for the children's well-being.

Translated and adapted by Anders Peterson from the original article "Cómo manejar el divorcio sin afectar a los hijos"� by Daniela Lopez.

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