Apps Every Parent Should Know - Part 2

As Christian parents, we are instructed to teach our children how to apply biblical wisdom to their lives (Deuteronomy 6:6-8). Therefore, I believe that teaching our teens how to choose appropriate apps and use them responsibly is vitally important in today’s media-obsessed world. However, we must also remember that being aware of the sorts of apps that are available to them, along with routinely monitoring their activities on their phones and tablets is another part of keeping them safe. Here are a few more apps I feel every parent should be aware of today...

• After School - This app allows students to post things to a site that may only be viewed by other students who have registered on Facebook as a student at that school. This means that unless they falsely identify themselves as a student on Facebook, no adults are able to supervise or monitor the site.

• Ask.fm - This is a social site that allows teens to ask questions and answer those posted by others-sometimes anonymously. (e.g. Am I pretty? Date her or pass? Rate or Date? TBH…) Ask.fm is popular with teens because there are friendly interactions on the site, such as questions about favorite foods, crushes or sports teams. However, parents need to know that bullying is a major concern with this site. MailOnline reported that this site has been linked to the suicide of several teens. Also, inappropriate questions can be asked by kids of peers. In addition, questions and answers can appear on Facebook, which means a wider audience.

• Instagram - This is a platform that allows users to snap, edit, and share photos and 15-second videos-either publicly or within a network of followers. It’s popular because it integrates the most popular features of social media such as sharing, seeing and commenting on photos. In addition, it allows users to apply fun filters and effects to their photos. However, parents must be aware that teens are looking for “likes”. They look at “likes” as a public display of their popularity or success, which also affects their self-worth. Photos are also public by default, unless the privacy settings are adjusted. Hashtags and location info make photos even more visible to communities outside the teens’ followers if the account is public. Private messaging is also an available option now making it easier to share inappropriate content. Additionally, strangers are able to send private messages to your teen. Finally, content is often questionable.

• Tumblr - This app is a cross between a blog and Twitter. It’s a streaming scrapbook of text, photos, and/or videos and audio clips. Users create and follow short blogs, or “tumblelogs” than can be seen by anyone online, as long as they are made public. Many teens have Tumblr accounts to share photos, videos and other things they find funny with their friends. However, be aware! Porn is accessible through this app. In addition, while privacy can be guarded, it’s only after some work. The first profile a member sets up is public and viewable by anyone on the Internet! Users who want full privacy have to then set up a second profile, which they can password protect.

Please stay tuned for next week’s blog for information on more blogs popular with teens today.

References:

Graphic retrieved from: http://yourteenmag.com/2011/11/technology-parents-take-control/