Apps Predators Use
The biggest threat to children today is not the predators sitting in the park waiting to snatch kids away from their parents. It is the predators sitting in the comfort of their own homes, at their computers, connecting with their young victims online.
Online predators use chat rooms and social networks, like Facebook, SnapChat and Instagram, to uncover personal information about a potential child victim and build inappropriate relationships.
This is a fast growing problem that begins as soon as a child uses a smartphone or a tablet. The younger the child the easier it is for the predator to develop the relationship and exploit the young one.
To help protect young children from online predators, parents shall take note of these five sneaky tricks predators use to lure kids in:
FAKE BOYFRIEND/ GIRLFRIEND
Many online predators play with children’s emotions and their need to be loved. Some predators are known to research the social media profiles of a child and create a fake account of a boy or girl that matches the type of person the child is attracted to. Based upon the child’s social media profile, predators can find out where the child is from, what music the kid likes, movies that interest him or her and so much more, without even being a ‘friend’ on their social media. Predators will even ‘like’ what the kid likes and claim similar or identical interests.
The predator starts out by sending a simple friend request or invite to chat. Once they communicate regularly for weeks or even months, they will shift the relationship from friendly to romantic or intimidating.
Predators often try to convince their victims to
INTIMIDATION
When a child tries to end a relationship with an online predator, the predator often uses intimidation tactics to separate themselves from others or keep the child from leaving the relationship. For example: threatening to tell their parents or making their nude photos public.
Predators also use this type of intimidation to get kids to do what they want them to do, including meeting them somewhere or sending pornographic photos.
Parents shall teach their kid to come to them with anything that troubles him. They should let him know he can always count on his parents to help, no matter what he may have done. Parents shall be aware of their child’s emotions. If there is a drastic change in emotion such as depression or fear, parents shall be sure to speak to them. Parents are their child’s only defense from this type of intimidation.
PLAYING ‘THE GOOD GUY’
Many times, children believe that no one understands them, especially their parents. So when a person they meet online tells them everything they want and need to hear, it’s hard to ignore. Predators play “the good guy.” They take the child’s side on every issue and convince them that they are the only person who cares about them.
Parents shall create an environment in their home where their child can feel validated and heard. They shall let him or her know he can always approach them with his problems. They shall make a sincere effort to understand their child’s feelings and viewpoints.
Protecting the child online is an important and daunting parental task. There is always something new to try, and online predators are always alert and ready to attack.
On a Thursday night, a popular TV program in the US featured “Apps Predators Use,” going into the offices of local cyber-intelligence divisions.
Experts from Mobile Police, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and Child Advocacy Center of Mobile demonstrated the dangers of giving smartphones and tablets to children. If not properly monitored, kids are prone to download messaging apps that expose them to child predators who lurk online, waiting to talk to their next victim.
“There are offenders out there who use these children and turn them into victims,” said Commander Kevin Levy, who heads Mobile’s Cyber-Intelligence Unit. “It begins with someone thinking it wasn’t going to be them.”
The problem is trending younger than teenagers. Children as young as eight years old are on messaging apps and talking to strangers posing as a friendly face.
“All it takes is a click, just one click,” said Patrick Guyton of the Child Advocacy Center in Mobile. “The kids want [phones and apps] because all the other kids are doing it. Everybody’s doing it.”
The TV show visited the digital forensics department of the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, where Detective Laura Soulier set up a fake profile to illustrate the problem first-hand. She posed as a 15-year-old girl with a photoshopped profile image, and within minutes, was being approached and friend-requested by strangers – some claiming to be from the area.
“You’re giving your children an electronic device that can actually allow [them] to meet somebody and get them killed,” said Detective Soulier.
The experts highlighted five apps that parents should uninstall if discovered on a child’s device:
Kik. “One of the apps most dangerous for curious teenagers. Known for its large user base, the private messaging app has developed a reputation for sexting and anonymous conversations.”
Yik Yak. “Unique in that this app is GPS-based. The program steers users to chat with others within a few miles of their location.” (Yik Yak has since been ended due to safety concerns.)
Yellow. “A newcomer to the list, Yellow has been nicknamed ‘Tinder for Teens.’ The online dating app is becoming increasingly popular with kids who are lying about their date of birth for access.”
Ask.fm. “The ultimate attention-seeking app. Users send open or anonymous questions to users and wait for responses, often time leading to more interactions.”
Live.ly. “Most troublesome in that this is a livestreaming app. Kids and teens are hosting private shows from the confines of their home, usually their bedrooms, often times divulging personal details.”