There’s no escaping that most kids are going online regularly – an Ofcom report found the majority (97%) of homes with children aged 0-18 years old have access to the internet.

Most go online via mobile phones (69%), as well as tablets (64%) – and while parental controls can help to keep them safe to a point, there are no guarantees.

One parent took to Reddit to reveal they went through their teen daughter’s phone and discovered something that “terrified” them.

The parent said they usually try to respect their daughter’s space and privacy, but had noticed something “felt off” about her – “she’s been really withdrawn, glued to her phone, gets defensive whenever we ask who she’s talking to,” they explained.

They checked her phone when she went to go and shower, and discovered a number she was messaging “constantly”, particularly “late at night, long threads, emotionally intense stuff”.

The parent said the number was “tied to a man in his late 30s”.

“I feel sick. I’m scared. I haven’t told her I saw the messages. I don’t even know how to approach it without blowing up her trust forever. But this doesn’t feel safe or okay,” added the parent. “What do I do?”

An online harms expert weighs in

Catherine Knibbs, a child psychotherapist specialising in cybertrauma, said if a parent suspects their child might be being groomed, they need to first regulate their own emotions.

“Do not blame yourself if this is happening and you missed it, as there are many perpetrators who bank on this – it helps them manipulate your child by ‘showing that you didn’t spot it because you........

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