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Kids & Apps, Part 3 and 4

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 Top Apps Parents Should Know Their Kids Are Using

As kids get more and more tech-savvy, it's important for parents to stay on top of the latest apps and games their children are using. While some apps are perfectly safe and age-appropriate, others can be dangerous and expose kids to inappropriate content. Here are five of the most popular apps parents should know about:

1.     TikTok: This popular video-sharing app allows users to create and share short videos of themselves Lip-syncing, dancing, or performing other creative acts. While TikTok can be a lot of fun for kids, there have been concerns about its safety, as the app has been known to host inappropriate and even pornographic content.

2.     Snapchat: This messaging app is extremely popular with kids and teens, as it allows users to send disappearing photos and videos. However, Snapchat also has a number of safety concerns, including "Snap Map" which can show your child's location to anyone on their contact list.

3.     Fortnite: This online multiplayer game has taken the world by storm, with kids and adults alike spending hours upon hours playing. While Fortnite can be a fun and harmless game, there have been concerns about its violence and addictive nature.

4.     Instagram: This photo-sharing app is extremely popular among young people, but it can also be dangerous. In addition to the potential for cyberbullying, Instagram also exposes users to a constant stream of ads and sponsored content.

5.     YouTube: This video-sharing platform is one of the most popular websites in the world, with billions of users. While YouTube can be a great resource for educational and entertaining content, it's important to monitor your child's activity on the site, as there is a lot of inappropriate and even disturbing content available.

Other Dangerous Apps Parents Might Not Even Know Kids Are Using

In addition to the above five apps, there are a number of other popular apps that can be dangerous for kids. These include:

1.     WhatsApp: This messaging app is extremely popular among kids and teens, but it has a number of safety concerns. In addition to the potential for cyberbullying, WhatsApp also allows users to share their location with others, which can be dangerous.

2.     Houseparty: This video-chatting app is popular among kids and teens, but it has been known to allow strangers into chats, which can lead to inappropriate content being shared.

3.     Discord: This chat app is popular among gamers, but it has also been used by predators to groom and exploit children. According to Bark’s 2021 annual report found Discord consistently in the top five platforms for bullying, suicidal ideation, body image, and more.

4.     Kik: This messaging app is extremely popular among kids and teens, but it has a number of safety concerns. In addition to the potential for cyberbullying, Kik also allows users to share their location with others, which can be dangerous.

5.     Hoop: This social media app is popular among kids and teens, but it has been known to allow strangers into chats, which can lead to inappropriate content being shared.

Tips for Parents

1.     Talk to your kids about the apps they're using and why they like them.

2.     Set limits on how much time your kids can spend on their devices, apps, games or specific websites

3.     Monitor your child's activity on their devices, including their app usage and web browsing history.

4.     Be aware of the apps your kids are using and research their safety concerns. Block specific apps or limit time on them using Enhanced Parental control.

5.     Teach your kids about cyberbullying, online predators, and other dangers associated with the internet.

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.

We hope you found this 4-part series educational 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. 

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