Understanding Cybergrooming: A Systematic Review of Perpetrator Characteristics, Strategies, and Types

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to synthesize findings on the characteristics of individuals with cybergrooming offense histories (ICOs), their grooming strategies, and emergent typologies. The Cochrane approach guided the review. Publications were included if they investigated adult ICOs older than 18 years of age, their characteristics, the strategies they utilized, existing typologies, and if they were empirical studies. Overall, 2,603 publications were retrieved from PubMed, PsycInfo, Psyndex, Web of Science, ERIC, and Google Scholar, using a string-guided electronic search. The quality of all 22 publications that met the inclusion criteria was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and the findings were synthesized. Results from 1,525 individuals across 22 studies revealed that ICOs tended to be male, around 30 years old, had few/no prior convictions, and were likely to have mental health problems. Strategies such as trying to build a real or feigned affectionate relationship via enticement, the introduction and pursuit of sexual content, and the assessment of the risk to be detected were common. Most studies differentiated between individuals who were primarily interested in an intimate relationship with the victim (the primarily intimacy-seeking) and those who were mainly interested in a quick satisfaction of their sexual needs (the primarily sexually preoccupied). Future research should focus on naturally occurring ICO/victim constellations and employ quantitative measures for adequate data collection. The findings underscore variety regarding strategies depending on ICOs' underlying factors, the state of the conversation with the victim, and their overall intention.

Keywords: cybergrooming; media; online behavior; online grooming; sexual offending; systematic review.