World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
South Korea's online grooming support app receives few reports
South Korea's government-run online grooming support app received 19 reports by September 30 after launching in 2024.
Online grooming involves adults building trust with children or teenagers to encourage sexual conversations or acts, often for exploitation.
The app recorded eight specialist counselling cases and two requests for removal support, but no cases were referred to police.
Only four reports and one counselling case came in during 2026 through September, while police had arrested 338 online grooming suspects by August.
The app is available only on Android platforms, and its reporting form sends information to staff by email.
Responsibility for running the app is disputed between government agencies, and no separate budget has been set for upgrades or maintenance.
Lawmaker Kim Sun-min urged the agencies to clarify responsibility and add anonymous AI-assisted counselling that could connect victims with professional help and protection.
South Korea’s online grooming support app received four reports and one request for specialist counselling in the first nine months of 2026.
Since its launch in 2024, the app had received 19 reports, led to eight specialist counselling cases and two deletion-support cases, and produced no referrals to police investigations.
The app is available only on Google Play Store and One Store, so iPhone users cannot use it.
As of October 8, it had been downloaded 1,758 times.
A lawmaker called for clearer responsibility for operating the app and for improvements that would allow anonymous AI-supported counselling.
- Who
- The government-created Online Grooming Safety App and people seeking support for online grooming.
- What
- The app received few reports and requests for specialist counselling. It had no cases referred for investigation.
- When
- Figures covered the period through September 30, 2026; the app launched in 2024.
- Where
- South Korea. The app is available through Google Play Store and One Store, but not on iPhones.
- Why
- The sources do not state why the app received few reports. A lawmaker said it should be improved to offer anonymous counselling and connect users to specialist help and protection.
Korea Communications Commission
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
Responsibility for app operation
Korea Communications Commission
Says the Korea Center for Gender Equality and Human Rights is responsible for operating the app.
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
Says the center handles counselling on victim cases only.
The government launched the Online Grooming Safety App.
The app had received 19 reports in total, including four that year.
The app’s cumulative downloads stood at 1,758.
Yonhap reported the app’s usage figures and the disagreement over who was responsible for operating it.
- Cumulative reports through September 30, 2026
- 19
- Reports received in 2026 through September 30
- 4
- Cumulative specialist counselling cases
- 8
- Cumulative referrals to investigations
- 0
- Downloads as of October 8, 2026
- 1,758
- App availability
- Google Play Store and One Store; unavailable on iPhone
1 source
What people are saying
The Korea Communications Commission and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family should clarify responsibility for operation and maintenance, and review and improve whether the app is actually helping victims.
The app should be upgraded to use AI so people can receive anonymous counselling before reporting and, when needed, be connected to specialist counselling and protection.