Schoolkids ‘tricking into sending nude selfies to paedophiles on Mylol teen dating app’

SCHOOLCHILDREN are being tricked into sending nude selfies to paedophiles on a teen dating app named Mylol, it's been claimed.

British police say they are investigating reports kids are being groomed and persuaded to send inappropriate images of themselves through the site, based in America.

It comes after a parent of a pupil at Cleethorpes Academy, north east Lincs., called cops over concerns their child was using the "number one teen dating site in the US, Australia, UK and Canada."

Humberside Police asked the Tollbar Multi Academy Trust, of which the school is a part of, to circulate warning letters to parents.

The letter states: "It has been brought to my attention that an internet site called 'Mylol' is targeting children. 'Mylol' is a USA based teenage dating site.

"We have been informed by the police that children in our area are being groomed, and in some cases being persuaded to send inappropriate images of themselves, online, to this site.

"We are very perturbed to have been informed of this information and would ask as parents/carers you are very vigilant regarding which sites your children are visiting online.

"If you feel any sites are particularly targeting children, in an inappropriate manner, please report it to the Academy and to the Police on 101."

As part of a recent campaign to warn young people of the dangers of the web, Leicestershire Police released a film about the last 13 days of the life of murdered 15-year-old Kayleigh Haywood.

The video was supported by other forces including Humberside Police and was made to serve as a warning to children and adults of the dangers of grooming and sexual exploitation following Kayleigh's tragic death in November 2015.

The Mylol warning today comes after it was revealed yesterday that 43 per cent of parents of eight to 18-year-olds in many regions of the UK don't use parental controls online.

Rachel Lowe, 40, whose daughter Amy, 14, is a Tollbar Academy pupil, said parents could never be too careful when it comes to making sure children stay safe online.

"We have always been very careful with Amy. There are certain restrictions as to what she can go on and we always do check.

"In the past, friends of hers at school have been getting random messages from boys and men online and I don't think they always tell their parents.

"Amy was quite concerned so she came to us upset for them. She has has always been quite wise to things like that as we have always tried to tell her in the past.

"It's unfortunate to hear about this sort of thing. You can never be too careful."

Janice Hornby, principal of Cleethorpes Academy, said "Tollbar Multi Academy Trust academies work very closely with safeguarding agencies to ensure the safety of all of our students.

"The ICT systems which we have in place within the Trust are strictly controlled to keep students safe online whilst they are in our care.

"However, we do not have control outside of the academy and, on this occasion, following a request from the police, we felt that it was our duty to inform parents of this website and make them aware of any perceived dangers."

A Humberside Police spokesman said "Although these advances are constantly improving our online experience as adults, they are also presenting us with greater challenges when it comes to making sure that children and young people don't stumble across graphic or adult content while browsing on either your devices or their own.

"Taking steps to ensure your browser settings make the most of built in security, safety functions and privacy features such as filter out search results that contain potentially harmful content will greatly reduce the chances of young people seeing inappropriate content.

"Having access to technology and being able to explore is a vital and search for content undoubtedly helps young people to learn and develop but parents and guardians being aware of what they are looking at and who they are speaking to is equally important.

"If you have any concerns about a website, app or social media site that appears to be targeting children inappropriately or have any concerns around someone approaching your child online then please call us right away on 101."

Mylol has been contacted for comment.

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