Ariel Winter Discusses Experience as a Decoy to Catch Predators

Ariel Winter, known for her role as Alex Dunphy on “Modern Family,” recently shared her challenging experience posing as a young girl to aid in apprehending a child predator. At 27, she discussed this unique and, frankly, uncomfortable endeavor she undertook while collaborating with a nonprofit organization focused on online sexual abuse, featured in the docuseries “Sosa Undercover.”

In the premiere episode, Winter portrayed a 12-year-old girl attempting to lure a 31-year-old predator in Oklahoma City. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she opened up about the emotions tied to this intense role.

“Working with SOSA has been cathartic for me. I know my efforts here can make a difference,” Winter mentioned.

Soon after, she explained the struggles she faced while engaging with older men while in the guise of a 12-year-old. “It is definitely scary at times, but the validation that comes from helping remove predators who threaten children is worth it,” she added.

Reflecting on her upbringing in the entertainment industry, Winter said, “I was one of the young girls we aimed to protect.” She emphasized the importance of safeguarding young women from experiences she, unfortunately, had to endure.

In her role, Winter donned costumes, including a blonde wig with bangs, to enhance her appearance as a child. There was a notable scene where she pretended to be in a child’s bedroom, adopting a youthful voice while communicating with a predator on a video call.

She shared, “It can be intimidating talking to older men, but the necessity of cleaning up these threats has been so validating.” Winter, who has a history of dealing with predatory behavior, added that her early experiences shaped her determination to protect others.

“I was astonished by the sheer volume of men trying to connect with girls as young as 12 or 13—hundreds of thousands, really,” Winter explained. “They often look perfectly ordinary. It’s alarming how they can present as friendly neighbors or loving family men. But the reality is, many are looking for a child.” She added a particularly disturbing anecdote about a male predator nearly 40, who wanted to go shopping with an 11-year-old girl.

Winter expressed that these encounters have deeply saddened her, especially considering the age of the girls being targeted. “I can’t help but think about how vulnerable they are,” she said, acknowledging her own past in Hollywood began at a young age, subjecting her to similar unwanted attention.

She revealed that the inappropriate messages started when she was just a child, leading her to seek therapy later in life. “The film and television industry can often be a dark place,” she noted.

Though the experience as a decoy was jarring, Winter emphasized the urgency of educating children about online dangers. “Kids often seek online relationships due to loneliness or boredom, not realizing they can attract predators with malicious intent,” she said.

Winter plans to continue her volunteer work with SOSA, stating, “I appreciate working with someone who genuinely helps women. I’ll stay involved as much as I can.”

Additionally, she recently shared her thoughts on social media regarding her past experiences with child sexual abuse, calling the effects lifelong. “This issue is only worsening in this digital age, and we need to fight harder against it. The predators out there are indeed real, and the crimes they commit are very much a threat,” she expressed.

Winter concluded by commending the efforts taken by SOSA to remove these threats from society, emphasizing that despite the challenges, the work is worth it if it means protecting even one child.