apps parents should know about

kik

kik.png

Age Rating:  17+

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, TextNow)

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.”

whisper

whisper.png

Age Rating: 18+

The following is placeholder text known as “lorem ipsum,” which is scrambled Latin used by designers to mimic real copy. Nulla eu pretium massa. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae. Maecenas non leo laoreet, condimentum lorem nec, vulputate massa. Mauris egestas at nibh nec finibus.

snapchat

snapchat.png

Age Rating:  16+

Allows you to capture an image or video and make it available to a recipient for a specific time. After that time limit is up, the picture/video automatically disappears forever…or so Snapchat claims. (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.

ask.FM

askfm logo.png

The following is placeholder text known as “lorem ipsum,” which is scrambled Latin used by designers to mimic real copy. Suspendisse nec congue purus. Aliquam bibendum, turpis eu mattis iaculis, ex lorem mollis sem, ut sollicitudin risus orci quis tellus.