2023, Volume 19
Directions and scope of child grooming in the context of modern technologies – a challenge for contemporary education
Adam Podolski1, Tomasz Warchoł2, Krystian Tuczyński2
1College of Humanities, Institute of Pedagogy, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
2University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
Author for correspondence: Adam Podolski; College of Humanities, Institute of Pedagogy, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland; email: apodolsk@ur.edu.pl
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Abstract
The authors of these scientific essay emphasizes the growing threats to children associated with the use of modern technologies, such as smartphones, the Internet, and social media. Children at increasingly younger ages come into contact with electronic devices, exposing them to cyberbullying and grooming. The article focuses on a theoretical and practical analysis of child grooming in the context of contemporary technologies and identifies challenges related to education in today's system.
Various forms of cyberbullying, such as trolling, hate speech, sexting, and grooming, are discussed in the article. These experiences can lead to serious emotional and social consequences, even to suicide attempts. Special attention is given to child grooming, a process of building a relationship with a child for sexual exploitation, which poses an increasing threat to the youngest users of the Internet.
The authors draw attention to the potential dangers of internet applications that allow perpetrators to hide their identity and establish private contacts with children. They also describe the role of schools in the digital world of children, emphasizing the need for education on online safety, the development of digital citizenship skills, and collaboration with parents.
The authors concludes with a discussion of educational challenges related to child grooming and advocates for the creation of a separate school subject dedicated to online safety, ethics, awareness of threats, and crisis management skills in cyberspace. This proposal includes diverse modules such as basics of online safety, privacy protection, cyberbullying, online law, and safe use of modern technologies, aiming to comprehensively prepare students for internet use.
Key words: cyberbullying, education, hate speech, sexting, trolling