CHILDREN are being targeted by sexual predators through a disturbing new app dubbed “Tinder for teens”.

Multiple cases of child grooming have been referred to police, a cyber safety expert has warned.

The app, Yellow, reportedly has five million users and is growing in popularity among Australian school-aged teenagers keen to “make amazing new chat friends”.

The worrying app is marketed to children, and combines the swipe mechanism and “match” features of Tinder to connect kids with Instagram and Snapchat’s photo editing and messaging services.

Once users start chatting on the app, they are given the option to add each other instantly on photo-sharing app Snapchat and continue their “friendship”.

Cyber safety experts in Australia have warned children as young as six have been exposed to pornography via social media app ‘Yellow’.

Cyber security experts recommend parents regularly search the Apple or Android app stores and online news and technology websites to stay informed about the latest apps and social media services their children may be using.

What is grooming?

Pia Marshall previously shared on MoM, “Online predators frequent chat rooms and online video games, posing their profile as a young boy or girl.
Grooming a child online, is similar to that of grooming a child offline.

‘Grooming is the predatory act of maneuvering another individual into a position that makes them more isolated, dependent, likely to trust and more vulnerable to abusive behaviour.’

It starts with the predator striking up a conversation. They then begin to show an interest in your child and form some sort of ‘friendship’ with them.

Worst case scenario, your son or daughter organises to meet their ‘new’ friend, putting themselves in potential danger.”

Last month horrified parents shared the sick messages their kids were receiving on popular kids iPad app. Read more HERE

Read more news on the dangers of apps:

• Horrified dad found sick messages on his sons iPad game
• Parents warning about dangers of online games following teens death
• MORE warnings after online predator targets young girl via popular app

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