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Can I report this as online grooming?

I have a daughter who is a middle school student, and recently she seems to be exchanging messages with a male university student she met through a random chat app. When I secretly checked, there was a message saying, "Take a photo of your legs in your school uniform and send it," and although my child did not actually send a photo, in such a case, can that man be punished for online grooming?

online grooming

Answer to Related Inquiry

Author: 정찬우

The situation you described appears likely to constitute the crime of 'online grooming,' in which an offender builds trust with a victimized child and then uses it to attempt sexual abuse or exploitation.

Online grooming refers to a case where, without meeting in person, the offender forms a sense of intimacy with the victim through online spaces such as messengers·SNS·chat apps and then uses it to commit acts of sexual abuse·exploitation that occur online.

This act is a crime that, under Article 15-2 of the 「Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses」, can be punished by imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

If you have discovered a situation in which your child is being subjected to online grooming, you can immediately report it to the police (112) or to 117 (the emergency hotline for the protection of children, youth, and women), and you can request an investigation.

At this time, it is important to secure evidence such as chat records, the other party's profile, and screen captures.

In addition, even if a photo was not actually sent, the demand itself made for the purpose of sexual exploitation can constitute a crime, so we recommend that you report it promptly and seek a consultation with an expert.