Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are investigating three incidents of sexual activity with a child by an adult using the app
Parents are being warned about a smartphone app after claims paedophiles are using it to prey on children.
A mother told the Manchester Evening News her 10-year-old daughter was hysterical after a man repeatedly contacted her using free video chat app, called ooVoo.
She claims her daughter witnessed him performing a sex act, was asked to expose herself to him and has received missed calls and messages from him for weeks.
Primary schools in Wythenshawe have also been sending letters and text messages to parents warning them about ooVoo after being contacted by police.
The mum, who cannot be identified, said her daughter was first contacted on ooVoo by the man on Valentine’s Day.
She said: “ She was in a live chat with three friends when he came up, saying he was 11, with a bunch of roses as his profile picture.
“She came downstairs saying his voice sounded like an adult.
“My son deleted him but he came back on ten minutes later, she was hysterical, saying he was touching himself.
“We called the police and they came round and took her phone to investigate.
“But every time since she has turned the tablet on there is a message or missed call from him so she doesn’t use that now.
“She is hysterical and won’t sleep in her own bed.
“I would say to other parents, don’t let your children use ooVoo - it is just too dangerous.”
The mum has since been able to capture video of the man when he contacted her daughter again which has also been handed to police.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are investigating three incidents of sexual activity with a child by an adult using Oovoo.
Letters and text messages warning of ooVoo have been sent to parents of children at Newall Green, Cross Acres, St Anthony’s, Baguley Hall and Sandilands primary schools, all in Wythenshawe.
The text message sent to parents from Newall Green says: “We have been advised by the police to make you aware about a recent issue regarding children using a website called ooVoo.
“This website is being monitored by police and they have advised that if you have this website to delete it immediately.
“Can you also please talk to you [sic] child regarding Internet safety.”
OoVoo, an American company, has over 100 million users, with 100,000 joining daily around the world.
Children are supposed to be 13 or over to sign up, with the majority of users under 25.
The app offers free live video chatting for up to 12 people at a time plus voice calls and text messages.
A spokesman for ooVoo said: "ooVoo has a strict policy of users being 13 and over.
"ooVoo is a closed network and we recommend you only accept friend requests from your friends, family and people you know and trust"
"We take these issues very seriously and have a chief privacy officer who roots out and deletes any accounts which may place children or any ooVoo users at risk.
"ooVoo is a closed network and we recommend you only accept friend requests from your friends, family and people you know and trust"
"We take these issues very seriously and have a chief privacy officer who roots out and deletes any accounts which may place children or any ooVoo users at risk.
"The reported behaviours are offensive, illegal and when identified as such will be immediately reported to the proper authorities.
"This is an issue for the social network industry as a whole and we all must strive to provide our users a safe & private user experience."
"This is an issue for the social network industry as a whole and we all must strive to provide our users a safe & private user experience."