OSHKOSH, WI -- The Oshkosh Police Department arrested an 18-year-old Oshkosh man for causing a child to view sexual material and exposing genitals to minors.
Police say he sent a minor inappropriate pictures on Snapchat.
Investigators think there may be more victims related to this incident. They say the man had two Snapchat accounts: Maxwell 872 and Jmoney 371.
Police ask parents to talk with their kids about this incident or check their teen's Snapchat account to see if they were contacted by the 18-year-old man.
They're also asking parents to get involved, and better understand the potential dangers behind these apps.
The concept behind Snapchat is simple.
Open the app on your mobile phone, take a picture, or video, lasting mere seconds, write something short, and send it to any friend on your list.
"It wouldn't be traced back to them," describes online security expert Curt Esser. "It'd be something quick, and fast."
It's the understanding that everything sent over Snapchat will be erased immediately after it's viewed that experts say appeals to so many teens.
"The idea is that you can send embarrassing, or risque, pictures without being afraid of someone hacking your online account," says Esser.
But Esser says there are ways to hold onto these images that are supposed to disappear.
"People can take a screenshot very easily," says Esser. "Now we're finding out that there's actually a hidden folder on the recipient's phone where these chats are stored."
Esser says parents should know if, and how, their kids are using the app.
But many parents say that's easier said than done.
"Well, I think it's new technology," says Meredith Scheuermann, who has three high school and college-aged children. "You know, many of us didn't grow up with that, so it's probably keeping up with the times as well."
If you believe your child was a victim in this crime you are asked to contact School Resource Officer David Maas at (920) 252-0233 or Detective Sgt. Joe Framke at (920) 236-5734.
