On numerous apps including Telegram, WhatsApp, and Zangi, a frustrating increase of child sexual abuse material is being shared violently with no moderation or consideration about protecting the children. These reports related to child sexual exploitation soared from 6,835 reports in 2024 to 444,419 reports as of September 4th, 2025 (MissingKids.org). These numbers have increased significantly since 2026, and they won’t decrease if we don’t take action.
The first app to address is Telegram. Content creators like JiDion and Skeeter Jean tend to bait and catch pedophiles using this app, as it’s one of the most commonly used apps for predators to take advantage of youth. On Telegram, 24,671 users were identified actively sharing non-consensual intimate images, including child sexual abuse material in Italy and Spain (The Guardian). Not only is this disturbing, but it is what a large number of kids are exposed to. Over 82,000 videos, photos, and audio files are shared through Telegram with the intent to harm young children, and it has to be stopped (Linkedin).
Another commonly used app that these predators lurk on is WhatsApp. Just like Telegram and Zangi, JiDion and Skeeter Jean also catch a ridiculous amount of predators on this app. In July, Huw Edwards, a disgraced former leader presenter from the BBC news, admitted to having indecent imagery of children, which were all shared to him using the app, WhatsApp (Yahoo!Finance). What we need to realize globally is that these predators come in many forms– your uncles, neighbors, employers, dog sitters, and even your spouses. Youth are not safe on these platforms and we need to start taking immediate action.
The last app to recognize is Zangi. This app is insane in the growing trend of pedophila. Predators have been relocating to use this app to manipulate young children, as this app is a secure way to private communication, which is referred to as ‘off-platforming.’ Recently, three families where offenders have used a troubling tactic– app-convincing their targets to download and use a lesser known app– which was identified as Zangi (The White Hatter). Adults need to take caution around these encrypting apps that take no moderation to protect our children.
Globally, we need to make a change to ensure protection of our children including these horrors of online child predation, exploitation and sextortion as we see these reports increasing and the safety of these minors decreasing.
Hidden Dangers: Apps Permitting Unchecked Access to Predators
By Lillian Basso ‘29
On numerous apps including Telegram, WhatsApp, and Zangi, a frustrating increase of child sexual abuse material is being shared violently with no moderation or consideration about protecting the children. These reports related to child sexual exploitation soared from 6,835 reports in 2024 to 444,419 reports as of September 4th, 2025 (MissingKids.org). These numbers have increased significantly since 2026, and they won’t decrease if we don’t take action.
The first app to address is Telegram. Content creators like JiDion and Skeeter Jean tend to bait and catch pedophiles using this app, as it’s one of the most commonly used apps for predators to take advantage of youth. On Telegram, 24,671 users were identified actively sharing non-consensual intimate images, including child sexual abuse material in Italy and Spain (The Guardian). Not only is this disturbing, but it is what a large number of kids are exposed to. Over 82,000 videos, photos, and audio files are shared through Telegram with the intent to harm young children, and it has to be stopped (Linkedin).
Another commonly used app that these predators lurk on is WhatsApp. Just like Telegram and Zangi, JiDion and Skeeter Jean also catch a ridiculous amount of predators on this app. In July, Huw Edwards, a disgraced former leader presenter from the BBC news, admitted to having indecent imagery of children, which were all shared to him using the app, WhatsApp (Yahoo!Finance). What we need to realize globally is that these predators come in many forms– your uncles, neighbors, employers, dog sitters, and even your spouses. Youth are not safe on these platforms and we need to start taking immediate action.
The last app to recognize is Zangi. This app is insane in the growing trend of pedophila. Predators have been relocating to use this app to manipulate young children, as this app is a secure way to private communication, which is referred to as ‘off-platforming.’ Recently, three families where offenders have used a troubling tactic– app-convincing their targets to download and use a lesser known app– which was identified as Zangi (The White Hatter). Adults need to take caution around these encrypting apps that take no moderation to protect our children.
Globally, we need to make a change to ensure protection of our children including these horrors of online child predation, exploitation and sextortion as we see these reports increasing and the safety of these minors decreasing.
https://www.missingkids.org/blog/2025/spike-in-online-crimes-against-children-a-wake-up-call#:~:text=In%20that%20six%2Dmonth%20time,online%20enticement%20we’ve%20seen.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew-briercliffe-760621191_if-youre-not-aware-of-the-app-zangi-please-activity-7325430499663912960-aDk_?scrlybrkr=06b40c0e
https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/the-zangi-app-online-predators-amp-the-growing-trend-of-encrypted-off-platforming
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/nothing-stopping-spread-child-abuse-230100073.html
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/21/uk-watchdog-to-investigate-telegram-over-alleged-child-sexual-abuse-material?scrlybrkr=06b40c0e