The Brett Cooper Show

Episode 108: "Tinder for Kids" Is Putting Children in Danger
Date: December 13, 2025
Host: Brett Cooper

Episode Overview

In this thought-provoking episode, Brett Cooper confronts the alarming reality of "Tinder for Kids" — specifically, the social app Wiz — and the broader dangers facing youth in today’s tech-driven world. Drawing on recent headline-grabbing stories, op-eds, and testimonies, Brett critiques the tech industry’s failure to safeguard children, examines international regulatory responses, and makes an urgent case for honest, even uncomfortable, conversations between parents and kids. Throughout, Brett maintains a frank, sometimes wry perspective, blending personal anecdote with sharp cultural commentary.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction: The Unthinkable Reality (00:26)

• Brett sets the stage by expressing her disbelief at the existence of an app akin to "Tinder for kids" and the continued failure of big tech to protect children despite repeated promises.
  • Quote: “Tinder for Kids is a phrase that I thought that I hoped I would never have to utter. ... But it seems like every time, they always fall short.” (00:28)
• She encourages parents to watch the episode with their tweens or teens, noting the value of difficult conversations, referencing her own adolescent experiences with strict social media monitoring.

2. The Danger of Wiz: "Tinder for Kids" (03:09)

• Wiz: An app with a swiping, match-based interface, marketed as age-appropriate for teens, but deeply flawed in execution.
  • Fails at age verification, allowing adults to pose as minors, leading to real-world cases of sexual exploitation and assault.
• Brett cites an article from The Hill highlighting harrowing incidents directly tied to Wiz:
  • A 12-year-old girl sexually assaulted by an adult posing as a teen;
  • An 8th grader groomed by a 27-year-old man;
  • An 11-year-old assaulted by a U.S. Marine.
  • Quote: “These are just three stories from this year alone.” (04:42)
• The problem is global, not just American; similar abuses reported in the UK.

3. Failed Safety Protocols and Public Testing (06:04)

• Wiz previously removed from app stores for safety failures, later reinstated after claiming protocol improvements.
• Stephen Balcombe (Family Online Safety Institute founder) tested Wiz’s updated age verification:
  • Pretended to be 15 (despite “salt and pepper hair and a mustache”).
  • His account was approved within five minutes; only later, after the New York Post's intervention, did Wiz claim the account was shut down.
  • Quote: “‘As you can tell, I am definitely not 15,’ said Balcombe.” (07:04)
  • Wiz’s CEO shifted blame: “The person ... tried to sign up for Wiz by lying about their age. That rubs me the wrong way...” (07:45)
• Brett challenges this logic: Adult predators are rarely that obvious, and the numerous reported abuses prove the system doesn’t work as promised.

4. Widespread Platform Issues & Industry Failures (09:11)

• Brett draws parallels to continued failures at Meta (Instagram/Facebook) and other platforms:
  • Despite safeguards, explicit and dangerous content still routinely reaches minors.
  • Testimonials from ex-Instagram employees reveal lax policy: 16 reported sex trafficking violations before an account would be suspended.
    • Quote: “You could incur 16 violations for prostitution and sexual solicitation and upon the 17th violation, finally at 17, your account would be suspended... That is insane. It is so incredibly disgusting.” (12:45)
• Industry-wide pattern: “Big tech talks about safety but rarely follows through on its promises. Kids deserve genuine protection, not PR claims.” (14:00)

5. How Youth Use and Perceive Wiz — Real Teen Voices (15:20)

• On TikTok and other social media, teens describe Wiz as essentially “Tinder for kids.”
  • Clip: Young woman describes using Wiz for an “ego boost,” being bombarded with messages and attention from men.
  • Quote (Teen User): “I only use it for, like, an ego boost ... maybe. But there’s this guy that keeps texting ... I just paid two bucks to see who was my secret admirer...” (15:20–16:08)
• Brett observed dozens of similar videos: teens openly discuss receiving hundreds of DMs, sexts, and more on Wiz — often seeking validation or attention.

6. International Regulation: Australia’s Social Media Ban (17:08)

• In response to growing dangers, Australia enacts sweeping social media bans for minors under 16.
  • Platforms banned: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Snapchat, Twitter/X, YouTube, and more.
  • Non-banned: Discord, Roblox, Google Classroom, etc. Brett questions why platforms like Discord and Roblox, known safety risks, are exempt.
  • Ongoing debate about rights and government overreach, with Reddit suing Australia over the law. Brett finds Reddit’s defense questionable given its own history with predatory content.

7. The Role of AI & Digital Identity in Child Safety (21:05)

• Wiz uses Yoti, a World Economic Forum-backed age-verification technology.
  • Yoti’s broader proposal for universal, image-based age-checking rejected by the FTC due to privacy concerns in 2024.
• Brett links this to the growing risk of AI-enabled sextortion scams, citing a tragic Virginia case where AI-aided manipulation led to a teenager’s suicide (Bryce Tate).
  • Quote: “In the last 20 minutes of Bryce’s life, he was messaged 120 times … tunnel vision to where you can’t set your phone down.” (24:02)

8. The Necessity of Parental Involvement & Honest Conversations (24:38)

• Urges parents not to shy away from uncomfortable but vital discussions:
  • Quote: “If you watch this episode with your child, ... this should all be uncomfortable, this should be heartbreaking, but it also should be food for thought. Because some things simply are not worth the risk.” (24:58)
• Advocates for empowering, not just sheltering, young people: “By having these hard conversations, you are also protecting their innocence.” (25:08)
• Laments reliance on tech companies alone: “Maybe we talk to the kids. Maybe again we arm and empower. Maybe we try that on for size.” (25:11)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On industry accountability:
  “Big tech continues to profit off of the insecurities and the whims of children while telling parents that they are actively working on ... safety measures. But it seems like every time, they always fall short. When is it enough?” — Brett Cooper (00:30)

• On safety protocol failure:
  “How is it safe and appropriate when young teens are unknowingly meeting and connecting with adults who then sexually exploit them? And that is exactly what has been happening with this app.” — Brett (04:20)

• On Meta’s policies:
  “You could incur 16 violations for prostitution and sexual solicitation and upon the 17th violation, finally … your account would be suspended. … That is insane.” — Brett quoting ex-Instagram safety head (12:45)

• On the need for difficult conversations:
  “Even if your kids cringe or act embarrassed, it is your job.” — Brett quoting Heidi Briones on sextortion education (24:49)

• On empowering young people:
  “Maybe we talk to the kids. Maybe again we arm and empower. Maybe we try that on for size.” — Brett (25:11)

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Background & Personal Story: 00:26–02:00
• Wiz App Dangers & Case Studies: 03:09–06:05
• Testing Wiz’s Safety Claims: 06:06–07:45
• Broader Social Media Failures (Meta, etc.): 09:11–14:30
• Teen Experience on Wiz: 15:20–16:08
• Australia’s Social Media Ban: 17:08–21:05
• AI, Age Verification, and Sextortion: 21:05–24:38
• The Parental Role / Closing Arguments: 24:38–25:11

Memorable Moments

• Brett’s incredulous recitation of Wiz’s marketing language versus reality (14:55)
• The TikTok teen’s perspective lays bare the normalization of seeking validation via mass attention from strangers (15:20)
• The chilling Instagram policy exposed: 16 strikes for sexual solicitation before suspension (12:45)
• The poignant and tragic recounting of Bryce Tate’s sextortion and suicide (23:22–24:02)
• Brett’s firm call to action: empower rather than naïvely shield children from digital dangers

Tone & Style

Brett Cooper combines urgency, candidness, and her signature blend of empathy and critique:

• She is unsparing in her condemnation of tech industry failures and empty PR promises.
• Uses personal anecdotes and direct quotes to build trust and relate to both parents and teens.
• The episode is both a warning and a plea for proactive engagement, delivered with clarity and emotional resonance.

Summary

Brett Cooper’s deep-dive into the “Tinder for Kids” crisis is a clarion call for societal, parental, and regulatory vigilance. The Wiz app’s egregious failures, industry-wide safety shortcomings, and the rise of AI-enhanced dangers underscore that technology alone will never be enough to protect children. Brett’s ultimate solution is frank: parents must have the difficult conversations, educate themselves and their kids, and advocate for both empowerment and protection as the only real defense against a rapidly evolving digital threat landscape.