Thoughts after a bit of browsing

I've seen already that there are arguments about internet safety and other such things. There is division on blame, but just for a moment I want to add to the conversation as an adult solidly in my 20s.

If you are underage, and an adult comes onto you or starts to become overly friendly - online or in person - it is not your fault. It is never your fault, whether you act with interest in said adult or not. The key reason for this is because of power dynamics.

When I interact with teens, I have a level of privilege that they don't because I have lived an adult life more, I have legal power that teens don't, and I (theoretically) could very easily flex that over them.

But I don't. Because I recognize a child when I see one and understand systems of abuse on some level.

There is more nuance to the power dynamics discussion, but simply put - adults are the responsible party. I can tell you for sure that if an adult in person or online knows you are a teen and tries to be frisky or what have you, they know exactly what they are doing.

And it is not your fault if days, months, or years down the line you realize what was happening. Abuse isn't just sexual alone - it frequently is, yes, but it can be any number of types of abuse.

I'm new to this platform, but not to the internet. Grooming isn't on the head of the victim - it is solely the groomer's fault for flexing power over people they target. The best you can do is understand internet safety and practice it as well as possible.

Comments are off because I have no energy for internet arguments or blown-up notifications anymore. I spent too long doing that as a teen (relevant experience I guess) and have since become burnt out on it. Sorry to those who wish to discuss this on the post.

Safety is not a guarantee, but I hope you are able to try to stay safe in whatever ways are available to you.