The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has made public the arrests of 25 individuals in a four-day operation targeting online predators and human traffickers. Sheriff Tom Knight revealed that all of the arrested men were using the internet and mobile apps to solicit children, with 38 prior charges and 15 prior convictions among them.
Following the arrests, the sheriff’s office, in collaboration with the Madill Police Department in Oklahoma, has compiled a list of 15 apps that parents and guardians should be vigilant about. These apps were identified as common means of communication among predators, with an updated version providing relevant information for parents and kids today.
15 Apps Parents & Guardians Need to Know About
- MeetMe: A location-based dating app.
- WhatsApp: A messaging app for texts, calls, and photo sharing.
- Bumble: A dating app involving potential privacy violations.
- Live.Me: A live-streaming app with geolocation features.
- Ask.FM: An app known for cyberbullying.
- Grindr: A location-based dating app.
- TikTok: Short video sharing platform with limited privacy controls.
- Snapchat: Multimedia app with location sharing.
- Holla: Video chat app with content concerns.
- Calculator+: App used to hide sensitive content.
- Skout: Location-based dating app with age falsification potential.
- Badoo: A social media and dating app.
- Kik: Messaging app with unlimited text access.
- Whisper: An anonymous social network.
- Hot or Not: App for profile ratings and chatting.
Understanding the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) sets requirements for websites or online services collecting data from children. Operators must disclose information practices, obtain parental consent, allow data review, and uphold information security.
Tips for Internet Safety
Regularly discuss internet and phone safety with children, ensuring they avoid sharing personal information online. Set expectations for shared passwords and be vigilant for signs of online predators or cyberbullying.
Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 and local law enforcement if explicit materials involving children are discovered.
