Skip to main content

Kids & Apps Part 2

While some apps are perfectly safe and age-appropriate, others can be dangerous or inappropriate for children. As a parent, it's important to be aware of the most popular apps your kids are using, so you can make sure they're staying safe online.



The most dangerous apps for kids

Are those that allow for anonymous messaging and communication. These apps can be used by predators to groom and exploit children. Some of the most popular anonymous messaging apps used by kids are Kik, Whisper, and Yik Yak. Predators can pose as other kids on these apps and trick children into revealing personal information or sending them inappropriate pictures. It is important for parents to be aware of these apps and talk to their kids about online safety.

Another app that can be dangerous for kids is Snapchat. While the app does have some safeguards in place, like only allowing snaps to be viewed for a limited amount of time, there are ways for predators to circumvent these measures. For example, predators can take screenshots of snaps before they disappear or use a separate camera to record the video. They can then use these images or videos to blackmail or bully kids.

Some apps, while not necessarily dangerous, can be inappropriate for children. These include apps that allow users to share nude photos or engage in sexual conversations. Some of the most popular apps in this category are Tinder, Grindr, and Blendr. While these apps may have age restrictions in place, it is still possible for kids to access them if they lie about their age. Parents should be aware of these apps and talk to their kids about using them safely and responsibly.

Finally, there are a number of apps that can be addictive and cause kids to neglect their studies and social lives. Some of the most popular addictive apps include Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, and Flappy Bird. These apps can be extremely frustrating and cause kids to spend hours trying to beat them. This can lead to isolation from friends and family, as well as poor grades at school. Parents should talk to their kids about time management and setting limits on how much time they spend on these apps.

Learn how ExperienceIQ content controls from Mid Century Fiber can give you freedom to control app usage and screen times, focus for your kids attention, and get back more quality family time.

This is part 2 of a 4 part series from Calix and Mid Century Fiber! As always if you have any questions on streaming, smart home, or just technology in general feel free to reach out to us at One Source by calling 309-778-8611 or by emailing us at OneSource@midcentury.com

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Don't let Summer vacation get in the way of education, with CuriosityStream.

  What is CuriosityStream? CuriosityStream is an American media company and subscription video streaming service that offers a vast library of documentary programming. Whether you’re curious about science, history, nature, or technology, this platform has something for everyone. Perfect for kids and teens during summer break to continue learning. Key Features: Extensive Library: CuriosityStream boasts thousands of documentaries covering a wide range of topics. From Emmy-winning shows to exclusive originals, there’s always something new to explore. The Standard Monthly plan costs $4.99 per month, while the Standard Annual plan (most popular) is billed at $3.34 per month annually. For the best value, consider the Smart Bundle Annual plan at $5.84 per month billed annually or $9.99 monthly. Watch Anytime, Anywhere: Stream on different screens simultaneously. Download documentaries to watch offline. Award-Winning C...

Be aware of digitally altered images.

            Everyone online, at least once, has fallen for an image that has been edited. Detecting manipulated images is essential to verify authenticity and prevent misinformation. Here are some techniques and tools you can use so you don’t get fooled again. Visual Inspection: Look for unnatural distortions, especially around specific features.  Warped lines, blurry edges, and pixelation may indicate manipulation . Analyze lighting consistency. If shadows don’t align or appear unnatural, the image might be edited. Low-resolution images or poor-quality edits can be red flags. Even if you were paying close attention to the above tips, there are very talented digital artists that can fool even the most careful person. Luckily, there are several online tools that you can use to help verify the images you are looking at. Online Tools: FotoForensics: This tool uses Error Level Analysis (ELA) to identify areas with different compression l...

How to stream RFD-TV

  It's May 23rd and its National Drinking with Chickens Day (yes, it's  real ). I wanted to focus on a popular streaming platform and channel called RFD-TV and how you can watch it.  What is it?       RFD-TV features programming devoted to rural issues, concerns, and interests. The channels name stems from the Rural Free Delivery system, which was the name for the United States Postal Service's system of delivering mail directly to rural patrons. It features a variety of shows related to agriculture, equine sports, cooking, music and other topics related to rural living.  How to watch.     RFD-TV Now:     Cost: $10 a month or $90 per year RFD-TV offers its own direct-to-consumer subscription service that you can subscribe to on your streaming device such as Roku, Firestick, Android and more. This is great for watching RFD-TV content without having to subscribe to other channels.      DirecTV Stream:    ...