Have you heard about apps and online games like Omegle? ChatRoulette? Fornite? KIK?
For some people social media means Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest, but what sites are more popular among younger generations? Children? Have you wondered what are the dangers associated with such platforms?
The results of our most recent research shows that even though many of these apps are intended for users over 17 years old, but no age verification is added and some apps such as Yellow have gain fame as teen dating sites. Online games, chat rooms and music download sites were included within this research and well, meaning younger children could be exposed as well.
Kik for instance has more than 300 million registered users, it is frequently used by individuals who trade child pornography, because it is free, simple to set-up, easily accessible, potentially anonymous. The amount of request a teenager can received is astonishing, and many of these messages contain very explicit sexual content.
Yubo, commonly known as the “Tinder for teens” ha more than one million monthly users in Australia alone. Kids as young as 10 are using it to make friends based on their age, photo and most importantly location!
Omegle allows live streaming sessions and get connected with complete strangers all around the world, doesn’t require for you to have a profile, account, verification of identity or age verification steps.
Such platform do not take responsibility for the cases reported, fraudulent profiles or explicit material shared unlike Facebook or Twitter. Never the less, such restrictions hasn’t been an impediment for predators to lure children using these commonly used platforms as well, therefore regardless the level of protection certain platforms apply, children’s safety relies more on the support of loving ones and education on the matter.
It only requires 1 picture for the torture to commence
One of the biggest batch of data the AFP is dealing with is the self-produced child sexual material. The interaction with a groomer can start with a comment, a message and once the child feels comfortable with these friendly and kind people, it is just a matter of time for naked pics to be requested in a very innocent way.
ONE MISTAKE AND A PREDATOR WILL CONTINUE THE DEMAND OF MORE MATERIAL BASED ON THREATS
Something important for parent to remember is to keep an open conversation with their children about these matters, as sometimes teens don’t tell what’s going on for fear to be in trouble and getting their parents angry.
It is crucial for parents to get involved and be aware of such incidents as they play a massive role on the protection of the children. Statistically speaking 1 in 5 Australian children have experienced some sort of interaction with online predators, and of course many cases remain unreported.
References:
- SnowBell internal research
- https://honey.nine.com.au/2018/08/29/22/57/the-five-apps-parents-should-know-about