A horrified mother has revealed the terrifying moment her seven-year-old daughter was sent explicit photographs via a music app.
Sonja Bouw, originally from Melbourne but now lives in Chicago, recently downloaded the app for her daughter Allegra to record her own music videos on.
But last week, the little girl was left in tears after the mother-of-three uncovered a string of indecent messages and lewd images from an anonymous user.
Mrs Bouw said she stumbled across the inappropriate content on the iPad after she noticed Allegra abruptly closing the window when she walked past her last week.
Mother of three Sonja Bouw has revealed the terrifying moment her seven-year-old daughter Allegra was sent a series of inappropriate messages and images on a popular music app
‘When I walked over, she looked a little confused and shocked, like she was trying to process what was going on,’ Mrs Bouw told Daily Mail Australia.
‘And then when she quickly shut the iPad and was hesitant to show me, I knew something was really wrong.
‘Allegra and I are extremely close. She usually tells me everything. She is also a massive rule follower and I could tell pretty quickly that the reason she didn’t want to show me was because she thought she might get into trouble.’
The mother then proceeded to look through her daughter’s iPad, during which she found the disturbing content.
‘I was shocked and absolutely horrified,’ she said.
‘I felt sick to the stomach knowing that some disgusting paedophile was trying to take advantage of my daughter’s innocence. I was so shaken up.
‘And the fact that this was happening in what should be the safety of our own home. Call it divine intervention or good old mother gut instinct but I am so grateful I walked down stairs when I did.
‘The image literally popped up onto the screen within seconds of me taking the iPad out of Allegra’s hands so thankfully she did not witness the image or the video. But sadly she did witness my reaction.
‘It was certainly a real wake up call for all of us.’
By sharing the story, the mother said she wanted to issue a warning to parents to check their children’s iPads (pictured with her three daughters Allegra, Anya and Theodora)
Following the shocking discovery, Mrs Bouw said her terrified daughter hid in the corner crying hysterically – and she even begged her mother not to tell anyone.
‘It was absolutely heartbreaking,’ she said.
‘I felt violated for the both of us. I pride myself on being a wonderful mother who is always there for my girls. But I felt so angry and disappointed in myself that I didn’t do a better job of protecting her from this kind of evil.
‘Our girls don’t really use the iPads all that often and when they do, it is mostly for creative purposes like making videos of their dolls or recording songs so to have this happen was beyond distressing.’
‘It was heartbreaking to have to explain to her in more detail that there are bad men, bad people, out there who prey on young children. The part that crushed me the most was that she thought it was her fault.
‘I never ever want my girls to feel like they can’t speak up. I hope they never find themselves in that situation but god forbid if they did I would never want them to think it’s their fault.’
The little girl was left in tears after the mother-of-three uncovered a string of indecent messages and graphic images from an anonymous user
By sharing the eye-opening story, the mother said she wanted to issue words of warning to fellow parents to check their children’s devices.
‘I beg you check your kid’s iPads right here, right now,’ she said.
‘I wanted to encourage other parents to take the initiative to properly protect their children from being exposed to this kind of thing.
‘I have seen first hand how quickly and easily it is for these predators to get a hold. It really can happen to anyone. And a big part of me was speaking out for Allegra.’
‘It’s moments like these where your life as a parent flashes before your eyes. Everything you have worked so hard to build and protect can be ripped from you in an instant. It’s moments like these that have the power to shatter your child’s innocence, their trust, their confidence and their life (your life).
‘So if our story can help prevent this from happening to even just one child, one family, then that’s something good to come out of a horrible situation.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the music app for comment.