Ahead of the summer holidays, the Swedish police are warning that criminal gangs are using social media to recruit young people into crime. On Facebook, the authorities have published a list of apps that parents should keep a close eye on – or delete immediately.

Critics argue, however, that the list is arbitrary and that it is strange for the police to urge parents to delete apps that are used by Swedish authorities.

During the summer holidays, adults are often less present in young people’s everyday lives, while screen time increases. According to the police, this creates increased vulnerability. Criminal networks then try to recruit young people to handle weapons, sell drugs, or participate in serious violent crimes such as shootings and explosions.

To prevent this, a national information campaign has been launched in collaboration with the County Administrative Board. The police, together with the County Administrative Board, have compiled a list of mobile apps that they believe pose a significant risk:

• Delete immediately: Signal, Telegram, Wickr Me
• Keep control over: Snapchat, WhatsApp, Discord, Messenger
• Monitor closely: TikTok, Instagram

Digital parental presence

Maja Karlsson, municipal police officer in Jönköping, also emphasizes the importance of digital parental presence:

– We need to increase digital control and knowledge about which apps my child is using, who they are in contact with, and why they have downloaded different types of communication apps.

The police recommend that parents talk openly with their children about what they do online and use technical aids such as parental controls.

– There are tools available for parents who find it difficult. It’s not impossible, help is available, Karlsson continues.

Parents are also encouraged to establish fixed routines for their children and ensure they have access to meaningful summer activities.

“Complete madness”

However, the list has been met with harsh criticism from several quarters. Users point out that the Signal app is also used by the Swedish Armed Forces and question why the police list it as dangerous.

“If general apps like Signal are considered dangerous, the phone app and text messaging should be first on the list”, writes another user.

Critics argue that it is not the apps themselves but how they are used that is crucial, and find it remarkable that the police are arbitrarily and without deeper justification telling parents which messaging apps are okay to use and which are not.

“Complete madness to recommend uninstalling chat apps so broadly. You should know better”, comments another upset reader.