An internet predator is an individual who uses the internet to seek contact with children or adolescents for abusive and exploitative purposes, often sexual in nature. They may operate on social media, chat rooms, gaming sites, and other online platforms where they can interact with younger users, often hiding their true identity to avoid detection. Their common tactics include grooming, which is building an emotional connection to lower the child's inhibitions, engaging in sexually explicit communication, sextortion, and sometimes arranging in-person meetings to abuse the child. Victims are usually targeted for exploitation, and this behavior can lead to severe mental health issues for the victims.
