In a troubling trend reported by Dagens Nyheter, 28 young Swedish girls have come forward to share their experiences of receiving sexual messages from men while using the second-hand shopping app Vinted. These girls, aged 16 to 24, have been approached by strangers who not only express interest in purchasing their used clothing but also request intimate and inappropriate images. One girl, Saga, 20, expressed discomfort, stating that she feels uneasy knowing who is viewing her pictures and making such requests.

As the girls have reported, they often find themselves inundated with bizarre and lewd comments, such as requests to send risque images or sell worn underwear. They describe the interactions as objectifying and disconcerting, with men asking them to share photos in revealing outfits and flatter their appearance in unsettling ways. This raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of young women using online platforms for selling personal items, prompting questions about the app’s effectiveness in protecting its users.

The emergence of this issue underscores a broader societal problem of harassment and objectification of women, especially in digital marketplaces. As these girls have become the focus of unwanted attention, it draws attention to the need for more protective measures and actions from platforms like Vinted. The testimonies reflect a pervasive culture of disrespect that young women face, revealing the urgent need for awareness and preventive strategies to create a safer online environment for all users.