Under 18s At Risk Of Predators On Tinder, Police Say
Police are concerned teenagers as young as 13 could find themselves targeted by sex predators on Tinder.
According to The Courier Mail, thousands of young people between the ages of 13 and 17 are using an underage version of the online dating app; in fact, there are reportedly more school children using Tinder than even over 35-year-olds. Though the Tinder app intended for under 18s limits matches to those in a similar age bracket, police have warned that there’s no real way to verify a user’s age. Detective Inspector Jon Rouse of Taskforce Argos - a specialised branch of the Queensland Police intent on stopping the exploitation and abuse of children online – said many of the paedophiles his team has prosecuted used dating apps to “groom and meet children”. “The threat exists and is real and vigilance by parents about the apps their children are using is critical,” he said. Australian cyber safety expert Susan McLean also noted to the Mail that the targeting function of Tinder can give away a user’s whereabouts. “This is a geolocation app so you are giving away your precise location,” she said. “Tinder is full of dodgy people and giving away your location is highly problematic.” The Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner's website is available to anyone who wants more info on how to stay safe online. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. For more information on counselling and treatment plans you can contact your school’s health services as well as the following organisations: Beyond Blue Headspace Photo: iStock.Topics
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very informative. thank u for making this article. appreciate this.
Those under 18 shouldn't use tinder full stop.
Social media can be a bad place but only if you use it the wrong way, its there to meet new people and interact with the world but it can also cause you harm.
I think social media is not an evil, if u use it in a good way, it will be a angel to you.
Im 16 and personally have tinder, now i know what some of you are thinking.... she is young and doesn't have a clue etc etc. Throughout my schooling I've been taught the wrongs and rights of social media. I'm not stupid enough to meet up with a complete stranger. Teens nowadays are always on social media and our generation is a growing age. We shouldn't have restrictions on our social media or be monitored. We like our privacy.
I believe that no minor should even be allowed to have a Tinder account, there should be a social website specifically for high schoolers that can be somewhere to meet friends of a similar age in a safe environment.
I wonder if there's any website like that around...
( looks at Student Edge Forums )
oh wait
