Men might be secretly watching girls as young as 11 in public WhatsApp ‘girls’ houses’
Dutch police are urging parents to speak with their daughters after a surge in so-called "meidenhuizen," or girls' houses, on WhatsApp, where girls aged 11 and older share personal photos, videos, and daily details that can be viewed anonymously by thousands, including potentially adult men.
The warning comes from police in Amsterdam Oost-Zeeburg, who expressed concern that the channels—often aimed at growing as large as possible—create national networks linked by shared invitations. Participants often share their location, how they bike to school, what they wear, and images or videos of themselves.
"These are channels where girls from age 11, for example, show their clothing or talk," police said on social media. "They often share personal information with the owner or with followers of the channel. And that can just as easily be men."
Girls can become channel administrators through an audition. Owners typically ask them to dance, complete a task, or show their clothing. The "coolest or prettiest girl" is then selected by the owner or up to 16 administrators. "Those owners and administrators may be girls but just as easily men," police said on Instagram.
Content shared in the channels, including photos and videos, remains stored and accessible for 30 days. Once posted, images cannot be removed. "And there can also be people watching whom you do not want looking at your daughter," police warned. "And the technology is so good that the photos and videos can easily be edited."
Police emphasized the lack of privacy: "Your information can be read back for up to 30 days. "Everyone has the ability to download your photos and videos, and all your personal information is publicly accessible."
In an Instagram post, officers directly addressed girls involved: "If you are in one, step out. It is not worth it to throw everything about your private life onto the street and let people you don't know know everything about you."
