The recent arrest of a man convicted of sexual assault on a minor, who registered without difficulty on a babysitting site, has rekindled parents’ concerns. Between the explosion of platforms, fierce competition and limited controls, online childcare reveals its gray areas.
Entrusting your child, an increasingly anxiety-provoking decision
Having your child looked after for an evening or a few hours has never been a trivial choice. But recent news has revived deep fears among many parents. Last January, in Tourcoing (North), a man convicted in 2020 for sexual assault on a minor was arrested after offering his babysitting services on an online platform. When he was released from prison, his profile was validated without obstacle on Nounou-top. He is now suspected of repeat offenses involving several dozen children.
This news story has brutally highlighted the limits of the controls operated by sites connecting parents and babysitters, which have become essential in recent years.
Many platforms, very variable controls
Baby Sittor, Happysitters, Yoopies, Kidsplace… Childcare platforms have multiplied, driven by massive demand. Nounou-top alone claims nearly 1,000 new daily requests from parents, particularly for full-time childcare.
But behind this abundance of profiles hide very heterogeneous verification policies. On certain sites, offering your services only takes a few minutes: no identity document, no reference, no criminal record extract is required for registration. “Promising absolute security on the Internet is illusory“, recognizes Nanny-top, who recalls being only an intermediary. The final responsibility lies with the parent, as an individual employer.
Criminal record: a legal framework that is still very vague
Faced with the shock caused by the Tourcoing affair, certain platforms have decided to tighten their rules. Baby Sittor claims to have strengthened its controls: verification of identity card, photos and references, and ongoing consideration of the systematic request for bulletin no. 3 of the criminal record. Happysitters, for its part, has required this document since its creation in 2015 and completes the sorting through interviews and role-playing.
But the legal framework strongly limits these initiatives. As babysitting is considered informal work, platforms cannot legally require certain certificates reserved for early childhood professionals. In addition, access to the file of perpetrators of sexual offenses (FIJAISV) is strictly prohibited for private companies. A lack that some actors consider “regrettable”, while recalling that a criminal record can be falsified.
In this context, everyone agrees on one point: nothing replaces a physical meeting, verification of original documents and an in-depth interview. In this all-digital age, parental vigilance remains the last line of defense.