News / Police warn of online sexual grooming
YOUNG people in Shetland are being warned about possible sexual grooming over the internet after examples of the online exchange of nude images have been reported to the police.
Shetland’s area commander, chief inspector Angus MacInnes, said police were making enquiries after coming across men exposing themselves to young women and girls and encouraging them to do the same over video chatrooms.
MacInnes said: “The real danger of young people and children using these sites is that they can be exposed to extremely inappropriate content and are open to grooming and abuse.”
Controversial websites including chatroulette.com and omegle.com have become increasingly popular since they were created in 2009.
They allow people from all over the world to connect online with strangers, but have become embroiled with charges of encouraging inappropriate sexual behavior.
Shetland police are also concerned that young people are accessing hard core pornography on smart phones and then reenacting what they encounter in their personal relationships.
“Modern technology is amazing in what it allows people to do, but what we are saying is please be careful about how you use it,” MacInnes said.
He warned that sending inappropriate images could lead to legal action or severe embarrassment if they appeared on the internet for all to see.
“Your reputation could be tarnished and you could be emotionally scarred,” he said.
“I would strongly advise parents and carers to be aware of the extent to which young vulnerable people can be exposed to such material through mobile phones, and other digital devices.
“It is vital that modern technology is used with responsibility and regard for safety and privacy.”
The police have been working with local authorities to highlight the dangers posed by new technology.
More information can be found at http://www.childprotectionshetland.com/
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