Investigators warn of widespread online grooming of children

Cybergrooming is when someone uses the internet to build sexual contact with a child.

In Germany, investigators say adults often approach children through gaming platforms, social networks or chat services, then try to move the conversation into a private chat.

Some pretend to be children, while others quickly ask for nude images or sexual recordings.

A review of more than 300 German criminal case files found that about six in ten suspected offenders were adults, and victims were often girls around 12 years old.

Investigators say the true number of cases is unknown because many children do not tell parents or other trusted people, often out of shame.

Preparing sexual abuse of a child has been a crime in Germany since 2021, and sentences can range from fines to several years in prison.

Platforms may block accounts and, in some cases, pass reports to US and German authorities, but investigators say abuse must first be detected.

They want stronger user identity checks and longer storage of connection data; a proposed data-retention law is not yet in force, and EU rules allowing some chat checks are currently set to expire in April 2028.