What it is
Seeking, formerly known as Seeking Arrangement, is an adult dating service built around arrangements between adults, often with money involved. It is not a teenage social app, and it is not a place for a child to "try".
If you find it on a child's device, or you find unexplained money alongside any dating app, treat that as a reason to get help. Stay calm, remove the app, and do not try to message the other people yourself. Unexplained money is information for you and, if an adult is involved, for the police. It is not a reason to shame them.
What to look out for
- The app, a website login, or emails from the service.
- Unexplained cash, gift cards, or transfers.
- Secrecy about an older "friend".
- Photos sent to someone they have not met, or talk of an allowance.
Ways to stay safe
These steps are for Seeking. The house rules still apply on every app.
- Remove the app. If a young child uses the device, keep the app-store password yourself so it cannot be quietly reinstalled.
- Do not message anyone on the account, and do not pretend to be your child.
- If an adult has asked for photos, offered money, or tried to meet, contact the police and a child-protection report line. The help page lists them.
- Write down usernames you can see. Do not delete the conversation if police may need to see it, and do not copy or forward sexual images.
In the news
Published reports you can read yourself. A headline is the proof, not a set of instructions, and this page does not repeat graphic detail.
- Dating apps told to stop under-18s after child abuse cases linked to Grindr This i Paper report names Grindr and Tinder. This app is the same kind of adult dating product. It stays off a child’s device.
- Overhaul algorithms and age checks or face fines, tech firms told Ofcom’s children’s code says sites with pornography or harmful content must use stronger age checks. The i Paper report is the one that names dating apps.
A way to start the conversation
Say: "If an adult offered you money, you are not the one in trouble. I need the app gone, and I need to know enough to get proper help." Then listen.
Video
Seeking parent briefing
A short video for this guide can be added by an editor. Until then, the written briefing above is the one to use.