Ariel Winter Turns Trauma Into Action by Catching Predators in New Docuseries SOSA Undercover

Former Modern Family star Ariel Winter is opening up about the disturbing realities she faced growing up in the entertainment industry. Starting her career at just 4 years old and joining the hit ABC show at 11, Winter recently revealed to the Daily Mail that she became familiar with predatory behavior from older men early in life. She recalled receiving inappropriate messages online once she began using digital devices and said the trauma from both virtual and in-person experiences led her to seek therapy.

Ariel Winter Overcame Body Shaming and Now Helps Catch Online Predators in SOSA

The challenges Winter faced as a child star were compounded by the body-shaming she endured as a teenager. The constant public scrutiny severely impacted her self-esteem, eventually contributing to her need for antidepressants during high school. While the medication led to weight gain, Winter prioritized her mental health above all else. She later moved away from Los Angeles to focus on self-healing and personal growth.

In her latest project, the YouTube docuseries SOSA Undercover, Winter takes on a powerful and personal role—posing as a child online to help expose and catch sexual predators. She described the experience as both scary and therapeutic. By participating in these undercover operations, she finds validation in helping protect other children from the kinds of exploitation she once faced.

Ariel Winter Uses Her Painful Past to Help Protect Children from Online Predators

Winter’s involvement with the SOSA initiative stems from a deeply personal place. She emphasized how critical it is for her to contribute to protecting young girls from abuse, noting that she once was “the girl we are trying to save.” Her work in the series reflects her commitment to ensuring others don’t suffer the same harm she endured in the industry.

SOSA, or Safe from Online Sex Abuse, is a Connecticut-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting online child sexual exploitation. The organization collaborates with law enforcement to conduct undercover stings and raise awareness through media like SOSA Undercover. Through this partnership, Winter not only sheds light on the darker corners of Hollywood but also uses her platform to aid in a mission that aligns with her own journey of recovery and advocacy.