THE PREVALENCE OF CYBERGROOMING AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE STRATEGIES FOR COUNTERACTION

Abstract

The article addresses the issue of the spread of cybergrooming as a negative factor of contemporary digitalization among adolescents and young people. It is noted that the problem has been intensified during the full-scale war in Ukraine due to transition to distance learning, increased social isolation, and extended time spent online. The authors has made an analysis of the empirical part of the study which reveals the level of personal awareness among adolescents and young people regarding the nature of cybergrooming, existing risks, consequences, and methods of counteraction. The findings indicate that more than half of the respondents are familiar with the concept of “cybergrooming” and its possible negative consequences. While exploring the social networks popularity amongst youth and teenage, it was evidenced that spending significant time on social media results into an increase in random acquaintances and unpleasant situations due to users’ inattention and willingness to share personal information. It was identified that over one third of respondents do not recognize existing risks. It is rationalized that adolescents and young people require an increased level of knowledge regarding counteraction to cybergrooming, including offline activities (thematic interactive trainings and various game-based methods aimed at developing safe behavior skills on social media). The conclusions are made that preventing cybergrooming requires strengthening self-control among young people regardless of age, enhancing the level of digital literacy, and placing thematic banners and creative preventive advertising on popular youth-oriented websites; as well as holding separate sessions with parents in educational institutions to inform about the nature of cybergrooming and its impact on their children.