The predator conversation I didn't want to have

Jan 11 min read

We had to sit down with our 12yo yesterday and talk about online predators because he made a "friend" on Discord who kept asking personal questions and wanted to video chat. He thought it was totally normal. We logged in and looked through the messages - it was CLEARLY inappropriate.

I'm not trying to scare monger but if you haven't had this talk with your kids, do it now. Show them what grooming looks like. It's uncomfortable as hell but it could literally save them. And honestly it made me realize I have NO idea what he's doing on Discord or other apps. Time for an audit.

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Comments(4)

JJay H.New DadJan 3

This is one of those conversations nobody wants to have but every parent needs to have. Did you set up any rules about who he can talk to online after this?

SSam F.RegularJan 4

How did he react when you explained it? My 11 year old got defensive at first like I was attacking his gaming friends, but once I showed him the actual tactics these people use he totally got it.

TTylerNew DadJan 4

Good on you for not freaking out or punishing him for making the friend in the first place. That's how kids learn to come to you instead of hiding things. We did something similar with our oldest and now he actually tells us about weird interactions.

EEli L.RegularJan 4

Man, that's tough but you handled it right. The fact that you had that conversation means he'll actually listen when something feels off instead of hiding it. My rule is to use real names for things - no cutesy euphemisms - so they understand the actual danger.