‘Online predators target children who stream video’ charity warns

THE rise of live streaming services is contributing to children as young as eight being sexually exploited online, a leading charity has warned.

Barnardo’s said youngsters had been encouraged to engage in sexual activity by predators using the comments function.

The charity said its child sexual exploitation services had helped 19 children, some aged eight.

Barnardo’s chief execu- tive Javed Khan said: “Without the right security settings, children broadcasting live video of themselves online could be targeted by abusers in their bedrooms. “It’s vital that parents understand the technology their children are using and have appropriate security settings in place.”

The charity highlighted the

SAFETY PLEA Javed Khan popularity of video-share app TikTok and streaming service Live.ly.

Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright said he would write to dating apps Tinder and Grindr over measures to keep children from accessing them.

Police have investigated more than 30 incidents of child rape since 2015 where victims were exploited after evading age checks on dating apps, the Sunday Times reported.