Online child exploitation is a criminal act that targets the most vulnerable people in our communities, kids and teens. Online child exploitation comes in many different forms, including online grooming, enticement and solicitation.
The REPORT act which passed in 2024 changed how we categorize these crimes.
Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar is a professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. She's a renowned expert in the psychosocial and technological factors associated with cybercriminal behavior, with a focus on the criminological characteristics and grooming strategies of online child sex offenders.
February 16th, 2026, 06:28 pm
The Metro
Keeping kids safe online has become harder
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Published February 16th, 2026, 06:28 pm
Description
Online child exploitation is a criminal act that targets the most vulnerable people in our communities, kids and teens. Online child exploitation comes in many different forms, including online grooming, enticement and solicitation.
The REPORT act which passed in 2024 changed how we categorize these crimes.
Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar is a professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. She's a renowned expert in the psychosocial and technological factors associated with cybercriminal behavior, with a focus on the criminological characteristics and grooming strategies of online child sex offenders.
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