A/69/264 97. Inappropriate contact and online grooming. The anonymity of much online interaction, combined with the lack of social cues that condition face -to-face interaction, facilitates inappropriate advances on the part of adults towards children online. Grooming takes place when online contact with children involves premeditated behaviour intended to secure their trust and cooperation with the intention of engaging in sexual conduct. 98. Cyberbullying. Cyberbullying may include spreading rumours, posting false information or nasty messages, embarrassing comments or photos, or excluding someone from online networks. Often resulting from face -to-face interaction in the school or other social spaces, it can cause profound harm, as it can affect the child victim at any time and quickly reach a very wide audience. 99. Self-exposure. Sending explicit self-generated text or images by mobile phone or instant messenger, known as “sexting”, is becoming widespread. As a result of peer pressure or as part of online interaction, there is a real risk of su ch material falling into the wrong hands and used to harass young people, or blackmailing them into engaging in further risky behaviour. According to the Internet Watch Foundation, up to 88 per cent of self-generated sexually explicit content online has been taken from its original location and uploaded elsewhere on the Internet. 100. Other concerns. Obsessive online behaviour or excessive use of the Internet may have a deleterious effect on children’s health and social skills. At times, this may be associated with an addiction to online gambling or gaming, which are often violent and age-inappropriate. Online gaming communities can also be used by paedophiles seeking to make contact with children, or by bullies as a platform for abusive behaviour. 101. Children may also make purchases online, enter agreements, sign up for premium services or make other forms of payments without the involvement of their parents or caregivers. In addition, children may be exposed to online fraud and viruses, and other risks that may threaten their privacy and safety and damage their computers and devices. 102. Another emerging concern is the association of children and adolescents with cybercrime. This may include young men’s engagement in computer-related financial fraud, or the use of ICTs to facilitate illicit behaviour that may result in violence against themselves or others. For example, in the context of youth gangs, sexual images exchanged on mobile phones may become “currency” for gang members, and mobile phones can be used to exert control over others and the commission of violent acts, including sexual violence. With the increasing engagement of organized criminal groups in cybercrime activities, there is a real risk that young people may become drawn into online criminal activities, driven by bravado, attracted by promises of economic gain, or compelled by threats or coercion. A multifaceted agenda for minimizing online risks and releasing children’s potential 103. The challenge of creating a safe and empowering online environment for children lies in responses that strike the appropriate balance between ensuring that children benefit from the potential offered by ICTs, and securing their necessary protection. 14-58801 19/23