15 Apps Parents Should Know About

With how rapidly technology is becoming more integrated in our society, you need to be safe and keep your children safe from online predators. Below are some links to the internet safety pages of some common Social Media Sites that you may find useful if you would like to learn more or need help if you feel you or someone you know has become the victim of online crime.

15 Apps Parents Should Know About

Courtesy of San Jose Police Department's Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Dedicated to Making the Internet a Safer Place

Snapchat

SNAPCHAT is a photo & video sharing app that promises users their photo or video will disappear even though it doesn't. Snapchat stories allow users to view content for up to 24 hours and share their location.

Tik Tok

TIK TOK is an app popular with kids used for creating and sharing short videos. With very limited privacy controls, users are vulnerable to cyber bullying and explicit content.

Omegle

OMEGLE is an app with the slogan: "Talk to Strangers!" It allows users to socialize with others without the need to register. The service randomly pairs users in one-on-one chat sessions where they chat anonymously using the names "You" and "Stranger".

Whisper

WHISPER is a form of anonymous social media, allowing users to post and share photo and video messages anonymously with strangers. It also reveals a user's location so people can meet up.

Ask.Fm

ASK.FM allows anyone to post anonymous commnts and questions to person's profile OSKfm and is increasingly being used as a means to communicate abusive, bullying, and sexualized content.

Meetme

MEETME is a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity. The app encourages users to meet each other in person.

WHATSAPP is a popular messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, voicemails, and make calls and video chats. It does not require cell service & uses an internet connection on phones & computers.

Youtube Kids

YOUTUBE KIDS is an alternative to Youtube with kid-targeted videos aimed at preschoolers to tweens. The app has some controversy with some inappropriate ads squeezing their way in, but is better at parental control than regular Youtube Still requires parental oversight!

Kik Messenger

KIK MESSENGER is an app used for communicating with friends in group chats or direct messages. But also allows you to chat with strangers by accessing public chats to talk about interests or by using the search function.

Calculator%

CALCULATOR% is one of several "vault" style or secret apps that appears to be a harmless app, but is used to hide photos, videos, files, and browser history.

Discord

DISCORD is a voice and text chat tool that allows gamers to communicate in real time while playing video games. This app discusses content geared towards adults, but allows users as young as 13.

Tumblr

TUMBLR is a blogging app & website allowing users as young as 13 to create an account. A range of content including inappropriate images, depictions of drug use, and offensive language are showcased. Pornography is easy to find and posts are often copied and shared.

Liveme

LIVEME is a tool for broadcasting live- streaming videos and watching others' videos. Terms of use specify that users be at least 18 or have parental permission, but young teens are often found broadcasting.

Yubo (Formerly Yellow)

YUBO is often called the "Tinder for teens" because users swipe right or left to accept or reject the profiles of other users. If two people swipe right on each other, they can chat and hook up via Snapchat or Instagram

Audio Manager

AUDIO MANAGER is another app designed as a "vault" style or secret app. It has nothing to do with managing music and is designed to hide messages, photos, videos, or other apps.