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There are more new apps being released faster than parents can catch up with an increasing list of dangerous apps for your kids. Gone are the days of thinking you are a new age parent by being aware of Facebook, twitter and Instagram. New apps are constantly being created to take advantage of the illusion of privacy. It’s extremely important to monitor what your child downloads. Always know their App Store password. Here are some dangerous apps to be aware of, some new, some not.
Whisper – This app allows you to post secrets anonymously and also allows you to chat with other users in your geographic area.
Why It’s Dangerous: Many children are drawn to communicating with strangers, feeling that their secrets are safer with them than with their friends or parents. This app is a perfect tool for ill-intentioned strangers looking to connect with young people because it allows you to exchange messages with people nearest to you (so anonymity can be easily lost).
Snapchat – Snapchat is the original “private” messaging service – you can send a picture or video with a text message attached and only allow them to see if for a few seconds, and then it’s gone. Snapchat would like for you to believe that the photo or video is deleted, but that’s not always the case. (Similar apps: Poke, Wire, and Wickr)
Why It’s Dangerous – Kids can receive (or send) sexually inappropriate photos. This app also makes kids feel like they can “sext” or send inappropriate pictures without consequences because the image will self-destruct automatically. The truth is that nothing sent over the internet disappears. There are always ways to retrieve and capture those images. Any person with the right tools and knowledge can get your information.
Poof – Hides other apps on your phone. You select which apps you would like to hide and their icons will no longer show up on your smartphone screen.
Why It’s Dangerous – If children have apps that they want to keep hidden from their parents, all they have to do is download this app and “poof,” their screen is clear of any questionable apps. So, if you see the poof app on their phone, you may want to ask them what they are hiding.
YikYak – All Yik Yak users are anonymous. They don’t create a profile or account, but they can post comments that are accessible to the nearest 500 people (within a 1–5 mile radius). A psychiatrist called this the most dangerous app he’d ever seen because it “can turn a school into a virtual chat room where everyone can post his or her comments, anonymously. Untruthful, mean, character-assassinating short messages are immediately seen by all users in a specific geographic area.”
Why It’s Dangerous: This app is causing problems in schools across the United States, with students maliciously slandering teacher, staff, and other students. In fact, several schools have now banned smart phones from campus because of this particular app.
Kik Messenger – A free app-based alternative texting service that allows texts/pictures to be sent without being logged in the phone history. (Similar apps: Viber, WhatsApp)
Why It’s Dangerous – Makes it easier for your child to talk to strangers without your knowledge since it bypasses the wireless providers’ short message services (SMS). Children also think they can “sext” without parents finding out. In addition, strangers can send your child a “friend request.”
Tinder – Users post pictures and scroll through the images of other users. When they think someone is attractive they can “flag” the image. If that person has also “flagged” them in return, the app allows you to contact them.
Why It’s Dangerous – This app, and similar apps such as Down, Skout, Pure, and Blendr, are primarily used for hooking up.
What Do I Do Now?
Remember, your child’s safety is more important than their privacy. As a parent, you aren’t being nosy by checking their cell phone on a regular basis; you are being responsible. Establish device rules. Make them sign a Parent-Device Contract. Let them know that you’ll be checking up on them – and then actually do it!
Most children do not see the danger of how much information they are putting out there. Make it real for them. Make sure they understand that sharing everything with the world isn’t a good policy.
For more information on what you can do and protect your child read more here at start2finish
