Alarming: Like-app endangers children-cybergrooming increases!

Alarming: Like-app endangers children-cybergrooming increases!

The social media app Likee, which was launched in 2017 and offers functions similar to Tikok href = "https://www.lvz.de/politik/- fahr-fuer-kinder---likee-und-discord-cord- and-extremism-ermoegliche-kssdg3tkrjdbvb72rwi2sleyxy.html" class = "source_1"> lvz Border crossings and cyber grooming among the most serious threats that emerge from this platform. In 2024, Jugendschutz.net alarming 17,630 were documented violations of youth media protection - over twice as many as in previous years. Of these reports, 90 percent fall on sexualized violence.

The app shows hardly any protective measures for minor users, which increases the risk of border violations. Children under the age of 16 in particular can often be seen in inappropriate situations, for example when dancing to ambiguous texts or in slightly dressed outfits. There are also numerous reports on inadequate age controls and inconsistent reactions to the numerous violations, which favors cyber grooming.

risks and challenges

The Likee platform is often also used in connection with other channels such as Telegram to act abuse. Users with a scenic name show in public groups that deal with the spread of such content. According to information from Jugendschutz.net , the exchange or purchase of forbidden content is linked to active telegram profiles and channels.

Although Likee indicates in his community Guidelines to make the protection of children priority, this is often perceived as inadequate in practice. A system for parental control is available, which is considered to be less effective, since children can easily create several accounts with the same mobile phone number. The lack of availability of German contacts or terms and conditions also contributes to uncertainty.

extremism and cyber grooming

The risk of extremism in digital spaces is also becoming increasingly visible. As the cyber criminologist Thomas-Gabriel Rüdiger explains, there were 1,245 registered cases of contact by extremist groups in 2024, with 732 cases related to right-wing extremism and 513 with Islamism. Radical actors are specifically looking for contact with young people, especially in the gaming area to radicalize them.

The total number of reported cases of hatred and sexual violence against children and adolescents has more than doubled. The number of unreported cases is assessed as high because many incidents are not reported. Rüdiger recommends parents to control the access of their children to digital media responsibly and act as role models. You should also improve your own digital education to be able to better protect your children.

The problems presented here require urgent measures: The providers of social media platforms must take their responsibility more seriously and implement effective protective measures. Minister of Education Karin Prien underlines the need for parents, teachers and schools to provide more media literacy and security online.