A Scioto County man made the smart and safe choice when he believed a juvenile contacted him on a dating app. Instead of ignoring his concerns, he reached out to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office.
The man told deputies he was using the Grindr app when another user sent him photos. While the pictures did not contain nudity, he suspected the person might be underage. Even though the account listed the age as 21, the man said something didn’t feel right — and he worried the person was actually a juvenile.
Deputies advised him to also report the account to Grindr’s moderators for further investigation.
Why He Did the Right Thing
Experts say the man acted exactly as he should have. When it comes to potential contact with minors online, adults are always the ones legally responsible. Even if a minor initiates the conversation or lies about their age, an adult can still be charged with a crime if the communication turns sexual or explicit.
By stopping the exchange and contacting deputies immediately, the man protected both himself and the potential juvenile.
What You Should Do
If you ever suspect you’re communicating with someone underage on a dating or chat app:
- Stop the conversation immediately.
- Report the account to the app moderators.
- If necessary, contact law enforcement.
In this case, quick action helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation from developing.