Vulnerable gender-confused children are sharing their personal details in online chat groups moderated by the controversial trans-activist group, Mermaids.
The Times has revealed that the group’s moderators allow young users to share advice and personal details on its online youth forum.
Its website recommends that young people use “an email address their primary carers have no access to”.
Secret communication
According to its own code of conduct, personal contact information should not be shared, however, the newspaper revealed that users arranged to swap details without moderators stepping in.
One mother only discovered her autistic 14-year-old son was communicating on the forum after she found sexually explicit images on his phone.
She said: “It was after that I found all the Mermaids emails in his inbox, with the links to all these discussions”.
The private forum is aimed at 12 to 19-year-olds. It does not allow parents or carers to participate and no ID or proof of age is required.
‘Hugely irresponsible’
Stephanie Davies-Arai, the Director of the pro-parent group Transgender Trend, said: “Essentially, it is providing a space for children where it’s the blind leading the blind.
“These children are not qualified to help other children with emotional and psychological issues. It’s hugely irresponsible.”
In a statement, Mermaids has claimed to be the victim of a “smear campaign”.
Investigations
On Monday, Mermaids trustee, Jacob Breslow, resigned after his involvement with an organisation that promotes paedophilia came to light.
Last week, the Charity Commission launched an investigation into Mermaids’ activities. It followed revelations that the group had been sending chest binders to girls as young as 13 without their parents’ knowledge.
Mermaids receives taxpayer money, National Lottery grants and income from training sessions to various government bodies and has been endorsed by celebrities such as Emma Watson and Prince Harry.
