NT kids posting nude photos on social media sites

TERRITORY teens as young as 13 are connecting with strangers over the internet in online apps that mirror the concept of Tinder

Teenage girl lying on bed in her room and checking smart phone.

TERRITORY teens as young as 13 are connecting with strangers over the internet in online apps that mirror the concept of Tinder.

Apps such as Yellow and Spotafriend connect teens with others in their area but police have warned they could be seriously exposing themself to online dangers. It’s easy to create an account with the NT News setting one up in minutes. On Yellow, there were multiple images of teens located in the Darwin region, naked, smoking and drinking.

Photos that teens had put up on their profile included them in uniform and in class.

Yellow also requires users to supply their suburb and age.

Spotafriend claims it is “not a dating” app in their bio but rather a way for teens to make new friends. However, articles on their blog include “how to seduce a girl online” and tips for flirting and meeting up with strangers. These new apps have authorities warning teens not to meet up with ‘online friends’ alone and schools scrambling to keep up with cyber safety education.

An NT education department spokeswoman said, with increasing levels of digital learning and engagement among students, teachers and the wider community, cyber safety was a high priority.

“As part of the curriculum all students learn about cyber safety including the socio emotional implications that may arise through the use of social media,” she said.

“The importance of cyber safety is also discussed through health and physical education curriculum.” She said there were standards to uphold when wearing a uniform regardless if it was during school or after hours.

NT police Sergeant Craig Windebank from the Cybercrime Unit said while the dangers of these apps weren’t often reported they were known by police. “NT Police encourage all parents to sit down and speak with their children about cyber safety,” he said.

Children’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, warned teens using the apps to be careful when sharing personal information, such as age, name and where they live.

“While these apps are designed with teens in mind, like all technology, it can be misused, so you don’t always know who is on the other side.”