The Daily Telegraph
CHILDREN as young as 12 are now becoming victims of “upskirting” and “downblousing” from their own peers in a sick new craze inspired by twisted online video “pranks”.
Cyber safety expert Ross Bark, who teaches courses across NSW schools, said upskirting was a growing issue.
“There is a very twisted genre of YouTube videos that are teaching children highly inappropriate behaviour,” he said.
EXPERTS have warned of the shocking tactics sex predators employ in order to lure unsuspecting child victims, including infiltrating popular mobile apps.
The growing use of smartphones among young Australians is putting them at risk of contact with paedophiles, as well as a bombardment of explicit content.
Cyber safety expert Ross Bark said kids weren’t equipped with the knowledge and maturity to navigate the dangers of the online world.
“People are waiting there (on mobile apps) literally to pounce on these young children,” Mr Bark told A Current Affair.
In a special report, the Channel Nine show looked at various chat, social networking and gaming apps popular among young users. Among those probed was Kik, Snapchat and Musical.ly.
A Current Affair – Channel 9
Parents would like to think they know what their children and teenagers are up to on their smartphones. But the truth is, they rarely do. In a world hooked on social media apps, online predators easily connect with millions of minors, literally at their fingertips within seconds.
See my comments from tonights A Current Affair. This is a must see – particularly for parents with teens and young children.