hands on cell phone
ASK.FM: Ask.fm is a question asking and answering service that gives teens the opportunity to ask and answer controversial questions totally anonymously. The answers can be either in text or video format and users can also browse other people’s profiles with the option of submitting questions directly to them. You only have to skim through the site to see that sexualized, abusive and bullying content can be--and is--being posted unchecked.
DISCORD: Discord is a free video, voice and messaging app to connect with gamers across the world. Users can join public or private groups. It is safer to join or create private groups for pre-teens and teens. Although there are groups intended for adults, most are moderated for inappropriate behavior.
GOOGLEPLUS: Google+ is a social networking site that adds to all of Google’s other services, including Web search, Gmail, and YouTube. Google+ brings popular social-media features like comments, photo and music sharing, video chat, etc. to your child’s social circles. Teens are moving to Google+ from Facebook as their parents become more active on FB.
INSTAGRAM: Instagram is a photo sharing site that probably is the most popular tween and teen app right now. This generation of kids loves taking photos and smart phones make it easy. You create a profile and then post your filter-enhanced photos. Depending on how the account is set up, photos are out there for everyone to see including people who aren’t followers. The geotags also allow others to see where the photo was taken.
KIK: Teens are also “kiking” each other, or sending texts, via the Kik Messenger text-messaging service that welcomes group texts and isn’t tied to a phone number but a user name. The text messages don’t live on the phone but inside the app.
OMEGLE: Omegle encourages users to talk to strangers. It pairs up people with strangers across the world via video chat. There is no registration requirement for the app. It is not meant for children or teens. Sexual activity is very popular with this video chat site.
REDDIT: Reddit is a community bulletin board that allows subscribers to post original content or links within areas of interest. Stories move up or down based on votes. The site is heavy with suggestive and offensive content.
SNAPCHAT: Snapchat is a mobile app that is used to send digital photos that self-destruct in minutes. The thing is, teens can do a screen grab and the photo is saved forever (or long enough to really damage a teen’s reputation.)
TUMBLR: Tumblr is a cross between a blog and Twitter–a streaming scrapbook of text, photos and/or videos and audio clips. Users create and follow short blogs, or “tumblelogs,” that can be seen by anyone online (if made public). Pornography and sexual suggestive content is accessible easily.
TWITTER: Twitter is a micro blogging site that allows users to post brief, 140-character messages–called “tweets”–and follow other users’ activities. One of the biggest drawbacks is that tweets are instantaneous and while they can be deleted, it’s easy enough to do a screen grab of a Tweet.
TIKTOK: Teens usually use TikTok to create and share silly lip syncing and dancing videos of themselves and/or their friends and family. The videos you post, the accounts you follow and the comments you make on videos are all public by default. But you can adjust your settings to protect your posts; only followers will see them, and you have to approve new followers.
WHATSAPP: WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app that allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. Whatsapp has become extremely popular with teens.
WHISPER: Whisper is an app for users to share anonymous secrets that they have not shared with loved ones. Users create accounts but do not include any personal information. After sharing their secrets, other viewers can comment or send a private message about the post. Beware, there are quite a few “adult-oriented” posts including ones where you can view hardcore pornography. Caution is advised when talking to strangers.
YUBO: Yubo is similar Tinder, but for teennagers. Users can swipe left or right on each profile. When connected they can chat with a new user and trade contact information. The app requires personal information such as SnapChat and Instagram accounts. Stranger danger is an issue with this app because people can easily lie about their age. There is also an option to share your location with new people.
For more information on managing your teen's smartphone use see: Managing Smart Phones & Social Media for Kids.