Parents, you need to check your children's phones. They could have a dating app that could leave them vulnerable to sexual predators.
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The Federal Trade Commission is warning parents about: FastMeet, Meet24 and Meet4U.
Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spoke to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, which says they’ve had cases connected to these apps and other social media and dating apps, as well.
"There is a rise, there is a trend, where things are progressing. We're seeing more cases."
In these cases, sexual predators are using dating apps and social media apps to prey on children.
Cole spoke to a detective who works in the internet sex crimes division. The detective said authorities have dealt with hundreds of cases in Clay County involving child exploitation.
“That is because technology is booming, more applications are coming out.”
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Action News Jax concealed the detective's identity because he works undercover.
The FTC released a warning to parents about Fastmeet, Meet24 and Meet4U specifically because they allow children to create public dating profiles, giving easy access to child predators.
Adult users can even search by age and location — to find children nearby.
The detective tells Cole parents often think this can't happen to their child.
But he said that if your child has a cellphone, the door to danger is already open.
"Children are learning from a small age how to use a computer. Years back that wasn't necessarily a thing starting off in early childhood."
The FTC says the Ukraine-based apps appear to violate the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and the FTC act.
Apple and Google Play removed them from their stores earlier this month.
Parents: The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says the key to keep your children safe is to stay vigilant and regularly check your child's electronics and social media.
Cole has requested some of the reports for the child exploitation cases related to these social media/dating apps.
When she gets them, she will have more details to share.