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Original poster

Why are there so many ‘missing’ teens?

34 replies

Wildflowers99 · 22/02/2025 20:07

I put missing in inverted commas as thankfully they all seem to turn up safely.

But I feel like every time I log into Facebook there’s another appeal for a vulnerable teenager who has gone missing in the local area. I don’t recall seeing this many appeals even a few years ago.

Is this happening in your area?

OP posts:
Brownie258 · 22/02/2025 20:36

Yup same kid keeps going missing over and over where we are. Thankfully not for a few months now.

Lightuptheroom · 22/02/2025 20:34

They are young people who move around in groups, often like to use the public transport systems at night and in some cases are under a curfew or in care, therefore each time they aren't where they are meant to be, they have to be reported as 'missing' . In my area, there are even known 'houses' where the adult encourages vulnerable young people to congregate. Social media means that their 'missing" is widely publicised and it turns into a game.

SwingTheMonkey · 22/02/2025 20:28

Probably something to do with the shocking levels of support available to teens with mental health issues.

menopausalmare · 22/02/2025 20:28

I'm very cautious about sharing missing photos, in case of stalking etc. I'll share police appeal ones but home -made ones be wary of.

Pineapplewaves · 22/02/2025 20:23

Apparently there's a game on TikTok/FB where you have to go missing and the one that’s missing the longest wins. There’s at least one child a day missing on my local FB and people are saying it's because of this game.

Kimmeridge · 22/02/2025 20:16

Most of them aren't missing in the traditional sense. A lot are from homes etc who just don't go back at night. We have so many regulars reported and you see the comments on FB people concerned, praying for their safe return etc. Although more recently the comments are 'oh not her again'

Meanwhile the so called missing person is out causing chaos somewhere or as we see more and more responding on the FB posts mocking responses. Once they're fed up they phone 999 and say I'm a missing person & the police have to get them and ferry them home. They totally play the system

Thankfully actually genuine missing teenagers are few and far between

Miley1967 · 22/02/2025 20:14

Yes constantly on my facebook feed too.

PonyPatter44 · 22/02/2025 20:13

It's social media. Teenagers go missing, formerly you'd never have known, but now it's there in your face.

CasperGutman · 22/02/2025 20:10

There were always posters up and appeals on local radio for missing teens when I was a child, in the 1980s. I don't think young people going missing is anything new, it's probably just that social media is bringing more of them to your attention.