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Guernsey Police are investigating a young adult who is believed to have been contacting young females aged between 11 and 15 on Snapchat and asking to exchange money for sexual favours.
The information was released in a letter to parents with students at Les Varendes High School and The Sixth Form Centre.
In the letter Guernsey Police say: “The suspect has been offering a money for sexual favours, which constitutes an offence of grooming. This particular matter is currently being investigated and enquiries are ongoing.
“Any information that may assist the investigation would be greatly appreciated, and can be reported by contacting Guernsey Police quoting occurrence reference 2400000482.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to urge you as parents or carers to speak to your children about their social media use, and to encourage you to be aware of what platforms they are using. In today’s digital age, the internet offers incredible opportunities for learning and connection, but also presents risks particularly for young individuals.
“Children and adolescents are increasingly spending time online, engaging in social media, gaming and other digital activities. While these platforms can be enriching, they also expose young users to potential dangers including online predators and inappropriate conduct.”
It’s not the first time Guernsey Police have issued warnings about Snapchat. Earlier this year parents were advised to make sure children under the age of 13 weren’t using Snapchat, as an ‘unsavoury’ group that shared explicit images had as many as 50 young people in it
You can read more about that HERE.
The warning comes as Guernsey Police continue to promote Safer Internet Day [6 February], an international event which promotes how young people can use the internet safely.
“Safer Internet Day is a great reminder to engage in open conversations with our families and communities about online issues,” said Digital Safety Development Officer, Laura Simpson.
“I am constantly hearing from families, teachers and concerned community members who need support for dealing with online safety problems. The BLE Digital Safety Leaflets are a way of providing a first port of call to those who are encountering issues, as well as a way of helping everyone access accurate, up-to-date advice on internet related harms.
“Our schools are all actively engaged in helping youngsters build good habits around online safety and digital literacy, but this must be an ongoing conversation. Whilst Safer Internet Day is a fantastic awareness raiser, the little and often approach is much more effective, especially in families.”
You can find resources and information about safe internet use ONLINE.
The Office of the Data Protection Authority (ODPA) has published some key messages for parents to follow when talking about internet safety with children:
(i) have conversations with their children regarding the reputational and long-term risks associated with sharing personal information via such networks, including personal photos, that could then find an indelible presence online and
(ii) ensure children are not using social networks or apps if they’re under the authorised age for those networks/apps (13 for Snapchat).
The Bailiwick’s Data Protection Commissioner, Brent Homan, said: “Safeguarding children’s privacy rights is a collective responsibility calling for a community response.”
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