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Trigger warning, possible online child abuse??. How do I report this?

23 replies

Afterglow81 · 13/12/2019 13:49

I had no idea where to post this so I put it here because I am looking for a relationship so it is semi related.

I have been single for two years so decided to download a lot of apps, dating apps, chat apps etc to start getting to know new people etc, the plan was to keep the ones I liked and delete the ones I don't. I was in a relationship for 17 years before I became single so had never been on any of these apps before.

Last week I decided to try a few of the chat apps, a few of them were ok and I started chatting to a few people, tried another one and I am sure I have stumbled onto the complete dregs of society.

Every other message is "Do you have any kids we can both have fun with?" "Have you got any young daughters?" one straight up asked me if I was into little girls like he was, a lot of the names are stuff like "little princess lover", "the younger the better", etc, a lot even just have the word pedo in their name, as in "MattThePedo". A lot of the users also seem to be underage.

The app has a feature where you have to either accept or decline any pictures sent to you, and the amount of pictures they are trying to send me is making me feel ill.

This app is marketed as a normal chat app.

I have taken a few screenshots, reported the users, even reported the app for pedophilia and they are all still on chatting a week later.

Is there anything else I can do about this? Not even sure if I am doing right by posting but its just made me feel sick and I have no idea what to do.

As a side note I was abused as a child and was taken away from my family so I am not sure if I am projecting what happened to me or if I am right for trying to do something about this.

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 13/12/2019 13:51

You can make a report to CEOP.

Oldwestaction · 13/12/2019 13:52

Omg this sounds horrific!
Where did you stumble across this app, on the app store?
I think you need to inform the police straight away. Ring the non emergency number.

Sunflowersok · 13/12/2019 13:54

You are absolutely right to do something about this, this app needs investigating. I’m not sure where to go from here in regards to reporting but I’d definitely keep the evidence and have a look in to it. I’m sorry OP that must have been sickening for you. Well done for taking it seriously

WhoTheFuckIsGail · 13/12/2019 13:54

WTF. How is this app even allowed to exist? I'd inform the police too.

Afterglow81 · 13/12/2019 13:55

@Oldwestaction yes its on google play store. I reported the app on there as well and its still there.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 13/12/2019 13:55

CEOP are the organisation who police this online, as a PP said.

www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

Sandals19 · 13/12/2019 13:58
Confused

Wtf?!

What app is this?

Afterglow81 · 13/12/2019 14:01

@sandals I didn't want to post the name of it just in case someone who is into this stuff happens to see it mentioned here, i am willing to send it via pm.

Of course you do get normal messages on there, just people wanting to chat and have a conversation, but the volume of the others far outweigh the normal ones.

OP posts:
Afterglow81 · 13/12/2019 14:02

ceop is asking for name of the child, town etc, I may ring 101 and see what happens.

OP posts:
Oldwestaction · 13/12/2019 14:03

Bloody hell, that is scary that it's available on the app store! I would have thought there would be tighter regulations. Hope you have success with reporting it to ceop as pp have mentioned.

bobstersmum · 13/12/2019 14:10

It beggars belief what grown adults get out of children I just can't get my head around it, these people are absolutely scum! And how the hell is this allowed to go on, on apps? Disgusting and disgraceful!

Afterglow81 · 13/12/2019 14:10

i have been directed to the internet watch foundation.

OP posts:
PersephoneOP · 13/12/2019 14:14

Please tell the police about this!!!

PersephoneOP · 13/12/2019 14:16

Just call 999. You have valid reason to believe several people on the site are paedophiles, this is more serious than just reporting the app, police could infiltrate and potentially jail several child abusers if you let them know about this!

HollowTalk · 13/12/2019 14:18

You've got your screenshots; I really wouldn't go back onto that site, OP.

Afterglow81 · 13/12/2019 14:20

I am on with 101 now, will update.

OP posts:
HowlsMovingBungalow · 13/12/2019 14:23

Be careful with screenshots. I'd delete so off your phone and just pass the app name to the CEOP/Police.

Dieu · 13/12/2019 15:11

This is absolutely horrendous. I admire you for wanting to take action OP, but please do look after yourself too x

Cream5 · 13/12/2019 16:09

What did 101 say OP?

bluebluezoo · 13/12/2019 16:14

Just call 999. You have valid reason to believe several people on the site are paedophiles, this is more serious than just reporting the app, police could infiltrate and potentially jail several child abusers if you let them know about this!

999 is not appropriate. Where exactly do you expect the police to blue light to?

101 or webchat is better and will be directed to the correct resources. Hope they can help op.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 13/12/2019 16:16

😵

Newname12 · 13/12/2019 16:17

Be careful with screenshots. I'd delete so off your phone and just pass the app name to the CEOP/Police

Screenshots are ok. And useful to the police. Just don’t send any images to anyone as that may be “distributing images”. Presumably o/p means screenshots of profiles and names rather than images of csa though.

MuffleKerfuffleUSnuffleWuffle · 13/12/2019 22:19

police could infiltrate and potentially jail several child abusers if you let them know about this!

I'm sure that if the images/username are as bad or frequent as the OP describes the relevant authorities will be aware.

Sometimes, the worst thing police or other investigators can do is turn up at relevant properties, all guns blazing, ready to arrest.

Pass the information on but don't be naive enough to think OP has made a huge discovery.

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