After Girls' Alarm About Vinted: Minister Wants Stricter Requirements on Digital Platforms
28 girls have recounted various sexual messages and harassment encountered while selling used clothing on the secondhand platform Vinted, prompting calls for stricter regulations from Sweden's equality minister.
A recent revelation has surfaced regarding the experiences of 28 girls who reported instances of sexual harassment while selling secondhand clothes on the platform Vinted. The girls described receiving inappropriate messages, requests for used underwear, and unwanted comments on their bodies. This alarming trend highlights the pervasive issue of sexual harassment faced by young women in various spheres, including online spaces, where they should feel safe engaging in commerce.
Sweden's Equality Minister Nina Larsson expressed strong condemnation of such harassment, stating that it is unacceptable for young girls to feel unsafe in any environment—be it physical or digital. She emphasized the need for perpetrators to be held accountable and for young women to be aware of their rights to report such offenses. Minister Larsson advocates for a societal shift that mirrors the values upheld in brick-and-mortar stores, insisting that the same standards of respect must apply online.
Larsson's criticism extends to digital platforms like Vinted, urging them to shoulder greater responsibility in preventing harassment. She called for higher regulatory standards to ensure that young women can engage in online selling without fear of unwanted attention. The dialogue initiated by these reports reflects a broader societal acknowledgment of the challenges posed by digital harassment and underscores the need for systemic changes to protect vulnerable individuals online.