A recent study by Adelaide University found that nearly two-thirds of Australian children aged 10 to 17 have received some form of grooming-related communication from a stranger online in the past year. Around one-third of these children reported being directly asked for sexual information or interactions. The study, which surveyed about 300 children, aimed to reflect the general population’s online experiences rather than provide a fully representative national picture. Researchers from Adelaide University, eSafety, the Australian Institute of Criminology, and Michigan State University collaborated on the study, which was published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect. The most common forms of grooming-related communication involved building trust, asking personal questions, or assessing risks—such as strangers discussing shared interests or asking about a child’s life, relationships, or online activities. More explicit requests, such as asking for photos or in-person meetings, were less common but still occurred in about one in five cases. Many children responded to these interactions with indifference, often assuming the person was another child. Some chose to ignore the communication or blocked the sender, showing that grooming behaviors can be subtle and blend into regular online conversations. The study also found that children who used online safety measures, such as privacy settings or age-appropriate platforms, were just as likely to experience grooming-related communication as those who didn’t. This doesn’t mean safety tools are ineffective, but it suggests that grooming tactics can be sophisticated enough to bypass these measures. Some children might have adopted stronger safety practices after encountering these communications, emphasizing the need for ongoing education and awareness. The prevalence of grooming-related communication was higher than previously reported in other studies, which typically found rates between 5% and 30%. This study examined a broader range of behaviors, including subtle relationship-building tactics, rather than focusing only on overtly sexual solicitations. It also included interactions with any online stranger, not just those believed to be adults, since grooming often involves pretending to be a child to gain trust. Online grooming can begin with seemingly harmless interactions on social media, online games, or messaging apps. Offenders may use friendly or casual language to build a relationship before making more explicit requests. Examples of grooming tactics include asking about a child’s school, whether their parents monitor their phone, or suggesting to move to a different platform. These messages can be used to gather information, lower a child’s defenses, or isolate them. Recognizing these early warning signs is crucial, and the study suggests that education should focus not only on obvious dangers but also on helping children understand and respond to these subtle interactions safely.