Technology seems to be moving faster than we can keep up with it. This obviously comes with many upsides, but there can also be sinister downsides to technology, especially in the hands of young children. Most kids these days are more adept and skillful at using their smartphones than their parents. While smartphones are not a bad thing in and of themselves, the potential apps that children download onto them sometimes can be. Most of the apps that parents need to keep an eye out for are the ones involving social media and data transfers. A lot of children don’t realize that once a video or picture is sent, it is out of their control. Though some apps block young users from utilizing the apps, many of them don’t.
Which Apps Should Parents Keep Watch For?
Snapchat: Snapchat is a photo/video-sharing app where the pictures disappear once they are sent. It also allows users to see your location if you don’t keep a lookout for that setting. This popular app should be screened by parents because children believe that their pictures won’t be circulated. Receiving users can take screenshots of the photos they accept. The belief that the pictures disappear might encourage kids to send more explicit images than they usually would. (1)
Tinder: Tinder is a dating app that has an age rating of 17+, but their policy allows users as young as 13 to register. It is location-based, and you can’t fully know who you are talking to, which puts kids at risk of being catfished.
Bumble: Very similar to Tinder, except it puts the female in control of initiating conversations.
Other Alarming Apps
Parents should be screening their devices or their children’s devices regularly. Doing so will ensure they don’t contain apps that could put them at risk of predatory behavior. In addition to the above, keep a keen lookout for these apps (2):
- Hot or Not
- KiK
- TikTok
- Badoo
- Holla
- Calculator+
- Ask.FM
- Meetme
Nathan Emery, who is an agent with homeland security has stated, “It’s that unfettered access to kids that brings more people in because they can sort of play out their deviance and sexual desires,” Emery explained. “Don’t let your child have access to the code to purchase apps on their phones, iPad and computers.” (2)
What Can Parents Do?
According to the 2013 Pew Research Center survey, up to 39% of teens lied about their age to access a site and create an account. (3) So sometimes trusting your children isn’t enough. Age limits can be set up on devices, and open communication should occur between parents and children. Simply letting them know that they can come to you about any issues they are facing can go a long way. Talk to them about the consequences of these apps and that you are just looking out for their safety. There are sections on the app stores that have suitable apps for children as well. Keeping a constant monitor on the device will go a long way in ensuring your children are safe from many of the undesirable outcomes that are possible with apps these days.
