In the United Kingdom, it is not inherently illegal for an adult to simply "talk" to a 16-year-old online, but the context and nature of the communication are strictly regulated by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The age of consent in the UK is 16, which means 16-year-olds have certain legal autonomies; however, laws against "grooming" and "incitement" apply if the adult’s intent is to lead to sexual activity or exploitation. If an adult uses online communication to build a relationship with a 16-year-old for the purpose of meeting them for sexual reasons, this can be prosecuted as "Meeting a child following sexual grooming." Furthermore, if the adult is in a Position of Trust (such as a teacher, coach, or social worker), any sexualized communication or relationship is strictly illegal until the individual is 18. Authorities and social media platforms monitor for suspicious patterns, and even "legal" conversations can be flagged if they appear predatory or involve the exchange of "indecent images," which is a serious criminal offense regardless of the age of consent.