Children, 13, buying drugs from ‘dark web’
CHILDREN as young as 13 are buying drugs online amid an alarming rise in addiction to the “dark web” in the wake of a hit Netflix series.
Experts say Britain’s youngsters are becoming “hooked” on hidden platforms that offer easy and anonymous access to illicit narcotics.
Addiction charity UKAT says it is now taking more than 100 calls a month from children and young adults desperate for help to beat their dark web dependency.they say the influx of enquiries follows the release of the latest series of US drama
Startup on Netflix in May.
The show, which originally ran for three series from 2016 to 2018, has now found a new young audience on the streaming service.
Starring Martin Freeman and Otmara Marrero, it
revolves around the creation of crypto-currency and a hidden internet platform built by a tech geek and used by Haitian gangsters to sell drugs.
The dark web is part of the internet that is not visible to search engines.
It can be accessed using an “anonymizing browser”.
In just a few clicks crack cocaine, heroin, ecstasy or ketamine can be delivered to an address without leaving a digital footprint.
Recent figures revealed drug deaths to be at an all time high across the UK.
Eytan Alexander, of UKAT, said: “We’re extremely worried about the rise in cries for help with dark web addiction.
“To order drugs in the same way you’d order a pizza online is frightening but appealing to a younger generation who want to remain off the radar.
“Every time you use a drug you are gambling with your life, but for these youngsters the thrill is clearly worth logging on for.”