Parenting has never been easy. While many thought that living in the digital age could make things easy, well, the sad reality is that it has not. The surging number of apps is leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed. So, what can parents do to salvage this situation and manage dangerous apps? We are going to look at 10 hazardous apps that every parent should look out and be careful to monitor.
- Whisper
Whisper is an anonymous app that allows users to connect by posting secret chat messages with other users in your area. Being anonymous, users freely share and make their confessions without any fear. Though it targets mature teenagers, younger kids are finding their way to it, which exposes them to risk. In the recent past, reports of sexual abuse and rape have come to the fore.
- Blendr
Just like Tinder, Blendr is an online dating that enables users to share, message and exchange photos based on GPS location. It invites users to rate its others based on sexual undertones. Though it targets adults, this app fails in age verification and moderation. As such, kids easily find their way to use it and fall prey to exchanging their information with potentially dangerous people.
- Ask.fm
This social networking app operates on the premise of allowing users to seek information by asking questions. The basic concept is for kids to ask questions and learn from their peers and friends around the world. Essentially, one can ask any manner of question they want, either anonymously or otherwise. Since it lacks any mode of moderation and filtration kids are using this app as a platform to create a toxic environment that aggravates a rise in cyberbullying.
- Kik
Kik allows users to communicate by sending both private and group messages. Since it keeps the messages for 48 hours, it makes it difficult for parents to monitor what is happening. This app has been a haven for sexual predators. As such, it has been making headlines for all manner of wrong reasons ranging from child exploitation to sexual abuse.
- Tinder
Tinder is a hooking up app used by users to connect with people by flagging their attractive posts. Users create profiles and upload their photos online. It also allows users to start conversations with people one finds interest in. Because it hides other apps on the user’s phone, kids can hide potentially damaging information.
- ChatRoulette and Omegle
These are video messaging apps that allow users to communicate with strangers. Even though one might think that they are communicating with genuine people, the reality is that users with ill motives tend to use fake webcam software luring unsuspecting kids.
- Vine
Vine is a short video social app, normally lasts up to six seconds that allows users to upload and watch video posts. One of the risks associated with this app is the potential of exposing kids to sexually explicit material. In addition to luring unsuspecting kids, this app enables sexual predators to find their location.
- Chatous
Unlike most of the other apps that are geographical in scope, Chatous is global. This app matches users across the globe randomly. Chatous is quite risky since it allows users to send and receive a disappearing message. Which means that parents cannot oversee or look into what is happening. Most chatters using this app tend to be flirty and sexual perverts.
- GroupMe
This is one of the most popular apps among kids and teens. Even though kids find it less likely to interact with strangers or peers outside their circle, the risk associated with using this app is that it is difficult to keep your kids’ contacts. Additionally, it is difficult to monitor some of the conversations taking place, which makes it ripe for cyberbullying.
- Yubo
Formerly known as Yellow, this free app allows users to connect and communicate with others within a local area. Users connect with the objective of flirting and sharing lewd information about each other. The major risk associated with this app is that it has no measures to check on age as well as restrictions. Since it links up with other social apps, it exposes children to the risk of interacting with malicious strangers who can access profile information.
With all these disturbing apps, what can a parent do? The most effective way of handling this menace is making a decision to buy a VPN. The virtual private network uses top-secret encryption that protects children by masking their IP address and making it invisible for hackers and predators. Therefore, when you buy a VPN, it will be easier to focus on other ways of teaching your children how to stay safe on the net.