She Was 13 and Had a "Perfect Friend". He Was 34

Do you know who your son or daughter is talking to when they close their bedroom door and put their headphones on?

A 13-year-old girl meets someone on Discord — a chat app hugely popular amongst young people — who seems to understand her better than anyone. Always available, always with exactly the right words. Weeks later, her mother happens to see a message and discovers the truth: that "perfect friend" is a 34-year-old man.

This happens every day. Including in Marbella and across the Costa del Sol.

There's a name for this: grooming

Grooming is a criminal offence. It involves an adult gradually gaining a child's trust online in order to manipulate them, typically for sexual purposes.

In Spain, one in five minors has experienced it. The average age of victims is around 13. The most common profile of the perpetrator: a man in his mid-thirties.

This isn't something that only happens in films. It happens at home, on the sofa, with a phone in hand.

Protection starts with conversation

The best safeguard isn't parental controls (which help, but aren't enough on their own). It's trust.

Show a genuine interest in your child's digital world, just as you'd ask how their day at school went. No interrogations — just real curiosity. And make sure they know that if something makes them uncomfortable, they can come to you without fear of having their phone taken away.

If your son or daughter receives messages that make them feel uncomfortable, that ask for photos, or that attempt to arrange an in-person meeting, the 017 helpline run by INCIBE offers free, confidential support. It is the cybersecurity helpline for minors and families in Spain.

What if something has already happened? Insurance can help

Many people are unaware that cyber protection insurance exists for families. It isn't just for businesses. These policies can include:

• Legal advice if you need to report an incident or take legal action.
• Psychological support for the child and for the family.
• Removal of content from the internet if images or personal data have been published without consent.

A claim — that is, the moment when something has already gone wrong — always comes without warning. In situations like this, having specialist support behind you makes all the difference.

What exactly is covered, and what isn't?

Every policy is different. Some cover only legal advice, whilst others also include technical assistance or psychological support. What matters is reviewing the particular conditions — the document that sets out exactly what YOUR policy covers, with your personal details and your specific cover — before you ever need to use it.

At Segurmar, we help you understand what each option includes, in plain language and with no obligation.

You don't need to wait for something to happen before getting in touch

Many parents across the Costa del Sol ask us about this type of cover when nothing has happened yet. And that is precisely the smartest approach: protecting yourself in advance.

If you have any questions, send us a message on WhatsApp and we'll be happy to advise you, with no obligation, from our office in Marbella.