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Manipulative Language in Cyber Grooming: A Pragmatic Analysis of Speech Acts and Power Relations Mannahali, Misnah; Angreany, Femmy
INSIGHT: Indonesian Journal Social Studies and Humanities Vol 5, No 1 (2025): INSIGHT: Indonesian Journal Social Studies and Humanities
Publisher : INSIGHT: Indonesian Journal Social Studies and Humanities

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.26858/.v5i1.81963

Abstract

Cyber grooming constitutes a form of online abuse in which language plays a central role in establishing trust, manipulating emotions, and gradually exerting control over victims. This study investigates how manipulative language is pragmatically constructed in cyber grooming interactions, with particular attention to speech acts and the reproduction of power relations between perpetrators and victims. Employing a mixed-methods sequential exploratory design, the research combines qualitative pragmatic analysis of cyber grooming messages with quantitative mapping of recurring linguistic patterns. The data consist of digital conversation excerpts from reported cyber grooming cases, analyzed using speech act theory and a critical perspective on power and interactional asymmetry. The findings reveal that perpetrators strategically deploy directive, commissive, and expressive speech acts to normalize intimacy, reduce victims’ resistance, and legitimize asymmetrical control. These speech acts are frequently embedded in linguistic strategies such as emotional reassurance, simulated care, urgency framing, and implicit threats, which collectively function to manipulate victims’ cognition and emotional responses. The study further demonstrates that manipulative language in cyber grooming operates as a gradual process, shifting from seemingly benign relational discourse to coercive and controlling communication as power relations become increasingly unequal. By foregrounding the pragmatic mechanisms of manipulation, this research contributes to a deeper linguistic understanding of cyber grooming and offers empirically grounded insights that may inform early detection frameworks, digital safety education, and child protection policies.
Co-Authors A. Mushawwir Taiyeb, A. Mushawwir Abd Kasim Achmad Abdul Halim Abdul Kasim Achmad Adys, Himala Praptami Agung Rinaldy Malik Ahmad Fadhilfaraby Alamsyah Alamsyah Alamsyah - Alamsyah Alam Ambo Dalle Andi Nurul Fhadillah Ainun Afidah Andrian Asri Angraeny, Femmy Angreany, Femmy Ani Amiruddin Anwar, Muh Arini Junaeny Arlian Fachrul Syahputra Arsyad, Finastika Arya Putra Asri, Wahyu Kurniati Astuti Astuti Burhamzah, Rahmat Burhanuddin Burhanuddin Dewi Ratna sari Ela Purwati Elma Wanda Septari Ernawati Ernawati Fadhillah, Nur Fatimah Al Ilmullah, Syarifah Febriani Vikria H Hasmawati Hasmawati Hasmawati Hasmawati Ilham Akbar Indradewa, Rhian Irmawati Irmawati Isnaeni Isnaeni Johar Amir Jufri Jufri Jufri Jusnidar Jusnidar Kurniati Asri, Wahyu Laelah Azizah Suhaeb Mantasiah Mantasiah Milasari Asiska Misnawaty Usman Misnawaty Usman Muftihaturrahmah Burhamzah Muhammad Anwar Murad, Dhesy Bonitha Savitri Nini Kasvia Haris Nur, Mursalim Nuri Aslami Nurming Saleh Nursalam Nursalam Nursalam Nursalam Nurul Hidayah Nurul Mukhlisah Abdal R., Mantasiah Rahmawati Rahmawati Ramliah, Ramliah Rasyid, Yumna Rosdiana H Rosmaladewi, Rosmaladewi Saleh, Nurming Selviana, Yulia Siti Muthmainnah Sri Wahdaniyah Sri Wahyuni Pratiwi Suhaeb, Laelah Azizah S. Syam, Ainun Bashirah Syamsu Rijal Syamsu Rijal Syamsurijal Syamsurijal Syaputra, Arlian Fachrul Syarifah Fatimah Al Ilmullah Syarifah Fatimah Al-Ilmullah Syarifah Fatimah, Syarifah Umar, Nurul Annisa Auliah Usman, Misnawaty Wahyu Kurniati Asri Winaya, Ainun Yuniar Hidayah Sanusi Yusri . Yusri Yusri Zamsinar Zamsinar