Apps your kids want to use that you need to watch out for.
Being a good parent means staying informed. There are many apps that our tweens and teens (and even kids) are using on their smartphones that may not be bad in and of themselves, but they do take a little parental influence to keep them safe. A Sheriff compiled a list of 15 apps that parents should watch out for. Six of them were used by suspected predators who were recently arrested.
- 'Meet Me' an app where teens can easily be in contact with users much older than them, with an emphasis on dating.
- "WhatsApp' and 'SnapChat' are for messaging, but what you should know is teens can send unlimited messages, have video chats and even share their live location with other users, people they may not even know.
- 'Skout' is a flirting app that's used to meet and chat with new people. Teens and adults are in different groups, but ages aren't verified.
- 'TikTok' is used for sharing user created videos that can contain bad words, even adult content.
- 'Badoo' and 'Bumble' are dating apps for adults, but teens can still find ways to join.
- 'Grindr' is geared towards the LGBTQ community. It allows users to share photos and meet up based on phone's GPS location.
- 'Kik' is specifically for kids, but anyhone can join and anyone can contact or direct message your child.
- 'LiveMe' is a live streaming app, but you don't know who's watching and your kids location is revealed.
- 'Holla' is all about connecting strangers around the world through video chat. Again-pretty cool....with adult/parental supervision.
- 'Whisper' is a social confessional where kids can remain anonymous, but still share their feelings. And it can reveal your child's location for a meet up.
- 'ASKfm' encourages people to allow anonymous users to ask them questions, which opens the door for online bullying.
- 'hot or Not' rates users on attractiveness. There's no age verification and users can send each other messages.
- 'Calculator%' apps are several secret apps that allows kids to hide their photos, videos, even browser history.
Be the smart parent and gain your kids trust by keeping them safe. If they are paranoid about you seeing what they are doing on their smartphones then chances are....they are using it in an inapropriate way. Give them their space, but be smart!