Police warn: Ban these apps on children’s phones

During the summer, the risk of young people being recruited by gangs increases.

The police are now warning that recruitment is taking place via social media – and are issuing a strong appeal to all parents:

Delete the apps Signal, Telegram and Wickr – immediately.

In a new Facebook post, the police publish a list of apps that adults must keep an eye on – or remove completely, reports TV4 Nyheterna.

According to the police, the apps Signal, Telegram and Wickr Me are being used by criminal networks to recruit children to commit serious crimes such as shootings and bombings. Therefore, they should be “removed immediately,” according to the authority.

Adults should also have “control” over other apps like Snapchat, Whatsapp, Discord and Messenger.

– There are parental controls and filters you can use. It’s not impossible, says municipal police officer Maja Karlsson to TV4 Nyheterna.

Parents are also urged to supervise Instagram and Tiktok.

Municipal police officer Maja Karlsson explains how adults should think about using the apps.

– You need to increase digital control and knowledge about which apps your child uses, what contacts they make, for what purpose they have different types of communication apps downloaded. And that you bring this conversation up as a discussion in your daily life, says Maja Karlsson to TV4.