SHAH ALAM – Paedophiles use soft approaches such as giving attention, praise and special treatment so that children feel comfortable and do not see the relationship between them as something dangerous.
In regard to this, Management and Science University clinical psychology expert Professor Dr Zubaidah Jamil Osman said parents need to be more sensitive to changes in their children's behavior because online paedophiles manipulate them without them realising they are being manipulated.
"Victims feel happy because someone is paying attention to them," she told Sinar.
Zubaidah said early signs of child grooming may include a child becoming withdrawn, spending excessive time on mobile phones or online games and communicating less with family members.
She said parents need to be vigilant if children quickly hide their phone screens when approached, suddenly change their passwords and become highly protective of their own devices, or get angry when phone or internet use is restricted.
She added that there are also victims who appear pensive, unfocused and easily distracted or look overjoyed because they feel someone is giving them attention.
Commenting on common mistakes made by parents, Zubaidah said many react with anger because they struggle to understand why their children failed to recognise the behavioural changes or warning signs themselves.
"There are parents who feel suspicious but look away because they assume the children are just learning or playing on the phone as usual," she said.
Zubaidah advised that if parents start to suspect their child is being manipulated, the most important action is to remain calm and not continuously judge or blame the child.
"Connect with the child first before you correct them. The child needs to feel safe and loved before they will open up," she said.