Snapchat is a popular app used by kids, but it can be risky. Police say it is the main platform for online grooming. Over 7,000 cases of talking inappropriately with kids were reported last year, the highest ever. Most cases involved girls. One mom shared that her daughter was targeted at the age of 8 by a stranger on Snapchat. The mom now checks her daughter’s messages regularly to keep her safe. The NSPCC points out issues with Snapchat’s design that make it easy for bad things to happen. Messages and images disappear quickly, making it hard to track bad behavior. Snapchat says they take the safety of young users seriously and will remove harmful content and report offenders. Other platforms like WhatsApp also saw an increase in grooming incidents. The government is pushing for social media companies to do more to protect kids online. With new laws coming into effect, tech companies will have to do more to keep children safe while using their platforms.
Vocabulary List:
- Grooming /ˈɡruː.mɪŋ/ (noun): The process of establishing a relationship with a child or young person with the intention of sexual abuse.
- Inappropriately /ˌɪnəˈproʊpriətli/ (adverb): In a manner that is not proper or suitable.
- Targeted /ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪd/ (verb): To identify or aim for a particular person or group.
- Incidents /ˈɪnsɪdənts/ (noun): Occasional events or occurrences especially those that are unpleasant or noteworthy.
- Harmful /ˈhɑːrmfəl/ (adjective): Causing or capable of causing damage or harm.
- Platforms /ˈplæt.fɔːrmz/ (noun): The various types of technology or services used to support online communication and interaction.
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