Criminalizing online minors’ grooming gets DoJ backing

The Department of Justice (DoJ) is backing legislative efforts to criminalize online grooming while investigating whether the practice played a role in recent school shooting incidents in the country, officials said.

Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said Friday that Justice Secretary Frederrick Vida has consulted with experts following findings that grooming contributes to violent youth incidents.

“The Secretary, without identifying or zeroing in on any incident, has listened to experts and there is already a finding that grooming plays a part in some incidents,” Dato said.

The DoJ chief previously revealed that law enforcement agencies are tracking leads on individuals allegedly “mentoring” and grooming children playing online games — particularly those focused on violent content — for potential recruitment into extremist or violent groups.

Dato cited that authorities are conducting a preliminary investigation to verify the extent and factual basis of these online influences.

The probe coincides with investigations into recent school shootings in Tacloban City and at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where investigators are examining the online activities of minors.

The DoJ is actively participating in Senate committee deliberations on a proposed bill that would make grooming a criminal offense.

Meantime, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, is currently evaluating the measure.