Child predators continue to be busted on Kik, despite website efforts
The popular website and app Kik claims to be a fun, safe way to connect. But more child predators continue to be arrested while using the app to send and seek child pornography. (Image: WTVC screenshot of Kik website)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The popular website and app Kik claims to be a fun, safe way to connect.
But more child predators continue to be arrested while using the app to send and seek child pornography.
In 2017, Kik gave themselves a $10 million budget to improve content moderation and user security. This was an initiative that hoped to get child predators off the app, but still people like Mark Pickel are abusing the website.
Last week, Pickel was arrested after using a private Kik group called "Loving Kids" to try and meet up who he thought was a mother and her 4-year-old daughter for a sexual encounter.
Tonight, we spoke to a parent of four City Park Elementary School students at the time Pickel was principal there.
Yajaina Agosto says she's always felt that something wasn't right with Pickel.
"He was always too friendly. You know how a parent has that weird vibe - well, that’s what I had."
Agosto says she talked to her children after the news broke of their former principal. She tells us that none of her kids said anything odd or inappropriate happened with them, which was a sigh of relief for the mother of four.
We have asked the four counties investigating Pickel's charges to see if they were looking for any other possible abuse to children in the school system.
Polk County is the only one to get back to us, and they said they are not.
We have reached out to Kik for comment on this story, but have yet to hear back.
This is a developing story; depend on us for updates.
