How Apps are Used to Target Children and Force Them into Sex Trafficking

FOX13
By Kimberly Kuizon
Edited by Maddy Spivack

Led by Sheriff Tom Knight, the Sarasota Police Department arrested 21 men soliciting sex from who they thought were boys or girls ages 12-14. This takedown, called Operation Intercept V, involved mostly online communication between undercover officers and the offenders.

Following this operation, Sheriff Knight has isolated nine different apps that are used to target children: 

  • Bumble: Similar to Tinder, this is advertised as a “dating app” where women must make the initial contact; kids can make fake accounts and falsify their age,
  • Snapchat: Most kids who send pictures on snapchat think the images disappear forever, but some content is viewable for up to 24 hours; a newer feature of the app allows users to see your location.
  • Kik: Any user can contact and message your child directly on this app, even anonymously; this app is notorious for sharing explicit pictures.
  • LiveMe: A live-streaming video app that uses geolocation allows users to find out the broadcaster’s exact location; users can earn coins for this app and use them to pay minors for explicit photos.
  • Holla: This video chat app places your child in a livestream video conference with complete strangers from around all over the world; users report experiencing explicit content and racial slurs from these random video chat sessions.
  • Whisper: An anonymous social network that advocates sharing secrets with strangers; users’ locations are revealed for “meet ups.”
  • Ask.fm: Known for cyberbullying, this app allows children to answer questions asked by anonymous users.
  • Calculator%: This “distractor” app may look like a calculator, but it’s a secret app that children can use to hide pictures, videos, and other files.
  • Hot or Not: Focusing on physical appearance, users rate other users’ profiles and can check for people in their area; Sheriff Knight warns that this is a “hook up” app. 

The best way to protect your child from potential predators is to check his or her phone for the presence of these apps. Additionally, be pay attention to who they are communicating with if using these apps. Remember that kids can easily delete and download apps, so be sure to check their phone content often.

Skylar Ungerman