A traveling educational program is helping families in Maine protect children from online grooming—one conversation at a time.
WESTBROOK, Maine — Parents are increasingly concerned about how to keep their children safe from online predators, but many don’t know what signs to look for—especially with social media constantly evolving.
That’s why the “Don’t Get Groomed” initiative, an educational program hosted by Strategies for Youth, was in Westbrook this week. The event brought together parents and community advocates to learn how to recognize the early warning signs of grooming—both online and in real life.
Zoe Sahloul, executive director of the New England Arab American Organization (NEAAO), requested the visit. The NEAAO supports a lot of new American families who may be particularly vulnerable due to cultural and language barriers.
“This topic is a big alert or red flag for me,” Sahloul said.
She shared the story of a family she visited, where a man from the neighborhood had taken a sudden interest in the family’s young daughter—bringing her gifts and avoiding interaction with the mother. That prompted Sahloul to step in and educate the family about potential danger.
“The mom started staying in the room with her daughter… and since then, the person disappeared,” Sahloul recalled.
Recognizing the need for deeper understanding, Sahloul invited Lisa Thurau, executive director of Strategies for Youth, to lead a session with NEAAO families. Thurau specializes in youth safety education and helps parents and caregivers identify grooming tactics—often subtle forms of manipulation and control.
“The whole point of this is to make them aware of the red flags,” Thurau said.
One of the biggest concerns, she emphasized, is how the internet has widened access for predators, making it easier for them to approach children under the radar.
Thurau offered straightforward but powerful advice for families:
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Know who your child is messaging with directly.
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Monitor those messages, especially if your child uses social media in private spaces like game rooms.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it takes an average of just 19 seconds for an online predator to determine whether a child is vulnerable.
“It’s best if you spend that time with your child and then say, ‘Wait a minute… who’s this here?’” Thurau advised.
Even small interventions—like starting conversations about online safety or simply being more present—can disrupt the grooming process before it escalates into long-term harm.
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