Ariel Winter, best known for her role as Alex Dunphy on Modern Family, has courageously shared her painful experiences of abuse while growing up in the entertainment industry.
Starting her career as a toddler, Ariel revealed to DailyMail.com that she encountered inappropriate advances from older men from a very young age.
She explained, “I started working when I was four, and by the time I was old enough to use a laptop and cell phone, I was already receiving disturbing messages from older men.
It left deep emotional scars.”
To cope with the trauma, Ariel has sought professional help.
“The things I went through, both in person and online, have impacted me so much that I needed therapy.
The entertainment world can be a very dark place.”
Battling Body Shaming and Mental Health Struggles in the Spotlight
Growing up in the public eye wasn’t just difficult because of abuse—it also meant relentless scrutiny over Ariel’s body.
“During my teenage years, my figure was constantly discussed in the media,” she recalled.
“I was just 14, and people were calling me fat everywhere I looked.”
She shared that her high school years were particularly tough as she was on antidepressants that caused her to gain 30 pounds.
“My mental health had to come first,” she said, “and eventually, my doctors changed my medication.”
While she later lost the weight, the criticism didn’t stop.
“Then people said I was too skinny. It was really hard to be criticized no matter what I did.”
Over time, Ariel learned to embrace herself.
“I moved out of Los Angeles and went on a journey of self-healing.
I surrounded myself with good people and finally started to heal.”
Seeking a Quieter Life Away From Hollywood
In 2020, Ariel and her boyfriend Luke Benward made the decision to leave the bustling city behind for a quieter life.
“I wanted a fresh start away from LA,” she said. “Living outside the city has been amazing.
I have more space, privacy, and feel like a normal person again.”
She expressed how grateful she is for the peace and normalcy she’s found since moving.
“It was important for me to heal old wounds, especially since I want to have a family someday.”
Ariel Takes a Stand Against Online Predators in SOSA Undercover
Driven by her own past, Ariel has become involved in a new true crime docuseries called SOSA Undercover on YouTube.
The show follows the nonprofit SOSA (Safe from Online Sex Abuse) as they work with law enforcement to catch online predators.
For the series, Ariel even dressed up as a 12-year-old girl during a sting operation in Oklahoma City.
“Pretending to be a child while talking to older men is scary, but it’s also incredibly cathartic,” she said.
“Having grown up in this industry, I’m passionate about protecting young girls from what I endured.”
The Hidden Dangers of Online Predators
Ariel revealed just how disturbing the reality is for today’s youth.
“There are hundreds of thousands of men online seeking to connect with girls as young as 12,” she said.
“These predators often look like ordinary guys—married, with families and pets.
They seem nice, but their intentions are harmful.”
She recalled one man nearly 40 years old who wanted to take an 11-year-old girl shopping for a bra—something Ariel says is deeply alarming.
Why Kids Are Vulnerable and SOSA’s Mission
Ariel explained that many kids turn to the internet looking for friendship or connection, but can fall victim to predators.
“Lonely or bored kids don’t realize the dangers of forming online relationships with adults who want to harm them.”
SOSA works directly with law enforcement to build trust with predators by posing as minors, gathering evidence to secure arrests.
Their efforts include creating realistic “decoy” setups and using video calls to catch predators in the act.
Ariel’s Commitment and SOSA’s Growing Impact
Ariel is deeply committed to the cause.
“It’s women protecting women, and I’ll keep doing this work as long as I can,” she said.
SOSA’s executive Roo added, “Ariel has been amazing for our platform.
She’s helping raise awareness and is willing to do whatever it takes—even eating cold cheeseburgers with us!”
The Alarming Rise in Online Child Exploitation
In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported over 36 million suspected cases of child sexual exploitation, a sharp increase from the previous year.
Despite dedicated law enforcement units, predators continue to adapt and evade detection.
SOSA’s innovative approach, which includes a fully staged “decoy house,” helps create convincing scenarios to expose predators and support prosecutions.
Raising Awareness Through SOSA Undercover
The docuseries SOSA Undercover debuted recently on YouTube and has already gained over 100,000 subscribers.
It offers free episodes every two weeks, with an option for viewers to subscribe for exclusive content and ad-free viewing.
Unlike vigilante groups, SOSA strictly partners with legal authorities to ensure their evidence can be used in court, focusing on transparency and accountability.
Educating and Empowering Families
Beyond investigations, SOSA uses Instagram and TikTok to reach over a million followers, sharing resources and educational content aimed at helping parents and teens stay safe online.
Ariel’s involvement helps bring much-needed attention to this critical issue, shining a light on the dangers young people face and the fight to keep them safe.
If you want to keep up with SOSA Undercover and support their work, you can subscribe on YouTube and follow them on social media for the latest updates and resources.