Dangers of adult dating sites for children revealed
As Australia seeks to implement world-leading social media reforms for teenagers, 11-year-olds using fake IDs have signed up to adult dating apps and fetish groups.
New research reveals that underage users not only use dating sites, but more than half also use offline matches; This is just weeks before the federal government’s groundbreaking social media ban on teenagers goes into effect.
Research by the Australian Institute of Criminology, based on interviews with 46 young adults, found children were being exposed to sexting, underage sex, as well as drug and alcohol use.
It showed children direct messaging with adults, sharing social media and personal information across multiple platforms.
Almost half admitted to sexting and exchanging sexually explicit photos or videos, which is no different from other platforms.
According to one participant, “The setup of the messages is basically exactly the same, the only difference is: ‘Oh, look, he’s matching, you both think each other are cute’”.
Some participants entered adult matches for sexual intercourse even after admitting they were underage.
“There might have been a couple that canceled because they found out I wasn’t 18, but there wouldn’t have been too many.”
At least one 14-year-old user was paid by an adult for sex.
“I met someone three different times… each time he wanted to meet up and offer me $700 and we actually had sex… Being a prostitute is pretty disgusting.”
The survey showed that young people were lying about their age when signing up and using fake IDs for age-restricted services.
According to the research, most people prefer platforms looking for friendship, romantic partners, sexual relationships and exploring identity concerns.
“The study found that adult platforms are a well-established and growing way for young people to explore risk-taking behaviors,” said Rick Brown, deputy director of the institute.
“Behaviours such as sexting, drug use and illegal criminal conversations often spill beyond these platforms and need to be taken into account in any response or preventative action.”
Starting December 10, children 16 and under will be removed from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, X, Kick and Reddit.
More than 200,000 Australians have visited the country’s official e-safety website since an education campaign launched three weeks ago, receiving nearly 100,000 page views a week compared to less than 10,000 previously.
Companies that fail to comply with the law could face fines of up to $49.5 million.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Child Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Resolution Support Service 1800 211 028
