We are parents – parents to five little kids age 10 and under. They don’t have smart phones or web enabled tablets of their own, but if they did, we would want someone to inform us of the dangers that plague our young ones today.
So some have shared information with us regarding some dangerous apps and we thought it would be good to pass along this information to other parents!
This is a list of 8 Apps that are scary and dangerous that are also popular and used a lot amongst teens and putting them in possible danger.
We are compiling this information for you from a few other websites and news sources. Our sources are: KSL 5 News SLC, ABC 5 Cleveland, WKYT Kentucky, CheckUp Newsroom and Huffington Post.
There are probably a lot more apps, but here’s the ones being reported on.
Kik Messenger
Kik is a private messaging app. The reason why this messaging app is a scary one is that a user can send a “private” message that parents and others can’t see. In addition, users of Kik have very little identity verification steps, which means it is a breeding ground for predators and underage users – and the meeting of the two is frequent from news sources.
Yik Yak
Yik Yak is a scary app, so scary in fact that many schools block the app on their wifi. Why is it scary? Well, users can post text-only Yaks of up to 200 characters. “The messages can be viewed by the 500 Yakkers who are closest to the person who wrote the Yak, as determined by GPS tracking. Users are exposed to – and contributing – severe sexually explicit content, abusive language and personal attacks.” Not only that, although it is anonymous posting, kids will and do start sharing personal information the more comfortable they become with the other users. In addition, whenever GPS is involved, that alone is plain scary!
Ask.fm
Ask.fm is basically an anonymous “gossip and bullying” app. Adults online can be vicious when they don’t have a real face and don’t have to face whomever they are “talking about.” Well, imagine kids and teens having the same ability, less maturity, no accountability and an even easier outlet – an anonymous outlet. It is a recipe for disaster and there have been several news reports with sad outcomes for others that were bullied or gossiped against.
Snapchat
This is a “self-destruct” app. Basically, users can send photos to others and these photos will disappear after 10 seconds from both the sender’s and the receiver’s phones. The timer starts once the receiver actually opens the picture. Yes, you are certainly thinking like us and thinking this is a total recipe for disaster. The recipe has been an easy outlet for “sexting” with their peers. But note, that although the picture “disappears,” it is also quite easy for the receiver to screenshot the photo and save permanently to share abroad!
Whisper
Another dangerous and scary app – Whisper! It is an app where users are encourage to “post secrets anonymously.” However, this app also has a GPS attached and shows the area that a user is posting from. You can also search for other “whisperers” within a mile of you. Whoa! Since it is online, both predators and kids are “meeting” as well as relationships forming. This scary app has also contributed to sexual crimes against kids due to the above listed reasons.
Omegle
This is one of the older apps on the list, but it is a wide open door for predators. The app requires no registration, which already means security is out the door. Users chat with “strangers” after finding chat partners via connecting through your Facebook account and Omegle connects you with strangers with similar interests based on likes on your Facebook page and more. The app includes video chat as well! In the end, this is a wide open door for predators and your kids talking to strangers.
Down (Formerly Known as “Bang with Friends”)
The app currently called “Down” which use to be known as “Bang with Friends” makes our list as it is far too dangerous for kids to get a hold of. You can probably see why the former name was replaced because you don’t need a second read to realize the danger. Although the name changed, the app hasn’t. Here’s the gist of this one: app users rate their Facebook friends in 2 ways – whether or not a friend is someone they’d like to “hang with” or someone they are “down” to hook up with (or formerly know as “bang with”). There are too many obvious dangers on this one that I don’t think we need to spell it out.
Poof
This was perhaps one of the scariest apps – Poof! With this app, users can make apps disappear on their phone with one simple, quick touch. What that means is that kids can hide each and every app they don’t want you to see on their phone. “All they have to do is open the App and select the ones they don’t want you to see.” This is quite disturbing and very scary because they can have the above list and more and you not even know! In fact, it was one of the most scary apps that this app is no longer available. However, if it was downloaded before it was deleted from the available app stores, it still might be on your child’s phone. One note that CheckUp Newsroom states is: “Keep in mind that Apps like this are created and then terminated pretty quickly by Android and Apple stores, but there are similar ones being created constantly. Some other names include: Hidden Apps, App Lock and Hide It Pro.”
Because of constant and changing apps, it’s a good idea to be checking your child’s phones/tablets and have them go through them with you on a normal basis. Often times, we worry about our kids playing outside due to dangers and predators (and I watch mine like a hawk when they are outside), but with technology, those dangers can enter our homes even easier.
What scary or dangerous apps did we miss that you know about?
sarah
Chatroulette is very scary you can video chat and most men are very naked!
Michelle
I have read articles online stating that predators are using the talking tom app.
Madison Berry
I use Kik, Snapchat, and Ask.fm. These apps have nothing to be worried bout. The settings don’t even let you do that.
cqarolyn
Seriously Madison, How old are you? Do you really think we are going to believe you when you say these apps are not dangerous? You obviously have someone snowed…I just hope your parents are smarter than you!
Beverly
I don’t have children, but I love them very much. Whomever wrote this, is with such care and love for them, as we all should be. PARENTS, pay close attention to what this says. There is enough harm out there. It’s not going to get better unless you do something about it. Protect them from any amount of harm.
Nicole
The Apps themselves are no more scary than other tool.
The reality is that the more they are out there, the more we as parents are faced with the fact that we cannot (and never could) control our children to keep them safe.
We need to teach them to be dilligent for their own safety, and keep lines of communication open at all times.
And that often means not freaking out when they tell us something that is “freak out” worthy.
Nothing shuts down the lines of communication between parent and child faster than a “freaked out” adult.
belle
Thank you! Someone is sensible! No one here understands that when you hold back your child they tend to loathe you.
Kate
Or, you could try not buying your kids smart phones. When I was in high school, I had a functioning flip phone that allowed me to call and text but no apps were available on it. These phones are still available and after all, that’s the sole purpose of having a phone…to communicate with friends and loved ones…not social networking. I didn’t get my first smartphone until I was eighteen, working, and paying my own bill. At that point in time is when kids become more responsible.
Its not the apps that are scary. Its the fact that 10-16 year olds are so spoiled that they even own technology that can access these apps. Its the immaturity they have that allows them to use these apps for poor choices. And that last one, of your child is deceitful enough to lie to you and hide what they know is wrong, they definitely don’t deserve to own a phone or a tablet with such capabilities. It should be a privilege, not a right.
Stop spoiling your kids.
Stef
Well said!
Crystal
Right on, Kate!!! Someone brought you up right!
Kate
PS, my comment was intended for readers, not the author. I notice the author mentioned their children do not own technology that can do these things. My suggestion is not to get them technology that can do these things. If they need a phone, get them a simple talk and text phone. It does the job, battery lasts longer, and completely avoids them getting involved with any of this stuff.
By the time they can afford to work, make their own money and carry the responsibility of their own phone bill in their name, if they choose to get a smart phone, so be it. Chances are by that time they will have learned some respect and responsibility and you won’t need to worry about them. Also, if they’re covering their own data costs on their own bill, they will be mindful of the amount they are using and won’t spend their whole life on it.
Jessica
I find it odd after this says to be careful there is a link for “Tai Matches” with a women with her chest almost exposed…….
Aubrie
Myyearbook is another one that is causing problems with older men hitting on young girls. Trying to get them to meet up with them and sleep with them.
Theresia
Instagram to me is still a scary app, in the hands of kids the hottest craze is to see how many followers you can get. Parents just really need to pay attention to what their kids are doing.
Kathleen N.
The plural of “parent” is “parents.” Unless it’s possessive, like “this was his parents’ home” or “her maternal parent’s car,” there is NO need for an apostrophe. If you’re going to publish articles, you lose credibility when you don’t have a command of basic English grammar rules.
Cassie
Thanks for pointing out my typo. I am very clear on possessive rules, but my fingers get away sometimes. I am human. 🙂
Crystal
Kathleen, with all do respect, you have lost sight of the true intent of this article, and that is to keep our children safe. It has absolutely nothing to do with punctuation, and proper English grammar.
Crystal
Oops, I meant, “With all DUE respect.”
Mark
Couchtuner is a dangerous website for young users. It is a website that let’s you watch past episodes from almost any tv program,however the ads are of scantily clad women, and I’m sure with a few clicks of the mouse you will be on a much different site. Our young ones have enough sexual temptation to deal with. No need to add to the difficulty.
Tracie
So glad the grammar police is out there!! Gesh!
Kerry
After learning which keystrokes to use the Vine app will show porn and nudity with that certain hashtag.
Keenan
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
Very useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such
information a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a very long time.
Thank you and good luck.
bil
My gosh, OH NO “Couchtuner is a dangerous website for young users. It is a website that let’s you watch past episodes from almost any tv program,however the ads are of scantily clad women, and I’m sure with a few clicks of the mouse you will be on a much different site. Our young ones have enough sexual temptation to deal with. No need to add to the difficulty.”
Or WHY WE NEED TO THIN THE HEARD !! IDIOT AFTER IDIOT SPEWING BS about very little while the Country goes into moral and financial bankruptcy thanks to YOU very same idiots..PL:EASE , do something productive we don’t need anymore “moral majority idiots taking the focus off the REAL ISSUES WHAT FOOLS! YOU ARE THE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO RE-ELECT TEH VERY SAME CORRUPT POLITICIANS YEAR AFTER YEAR AS YOU ARE TOO STUPID OR TOO LAZY TO ACTUALLY READ A REAL ARTICLE ABOUT WHAT THESE POLITICIANS ACTUALL Y STAND FOR OR HOW THEY HAVE VOTED OR EVEN HPW MANY DAYS THEY SHOWED UP FOR WORK, NOT the GOLF COURSE AND HOOKERS HOTELS !!!!
adri
because the future of our country lies in the hands of our children. as a parent, it is up yo us to raise the next generation to be wise, pure, and educated (among other things) do that our country has a chance of having good leaders. just sayin’.
adri
*sorry for all the typos.
pal
Poof is something to be aware of. It makes apps disappear. I imagine there are other apps that are similar. I was thankful that have someone that loves me enough to make me aware and I was able to detect it immediately on my kid’s phone and tablet! Inprivate browsing is another thing to watch for. They can hide what they are searching on the phones/tablets/computers. I happened upon this when I found the forbidden device in the bedroom after hours. (we don’t allow any screen in a bedroom or private room in the house) I snatched the device and looked at it after calming down. If you aren’t sure what your child is doing but seems to spend an excessive amount of time on their device download Qustodio. (there are other programs out there that cost more, but the basic version is free for this one) It will let you know and you can decide if your kid has a problem or not.
belle
I a teenager have snapchat and whisper. They are not dangerous. If your child really wanted to “sext” then they would find other alternatives. These apps specifically dont mean your child is up to no good, my friends and i have some of these apps and yes i do agree with the omegle one, that one is definitely not good. Either way, if you watch your child like a hawk while they play outside then you have issues. The more you try to watch your child and suffocate them with security, the more they will loathe you for it. Ive seen MANY MANY MANY cases where the parents are strict and when the child leaves home, they become wild and totally irresponsible. Please dont be that kind of parent. This is coming from a good teenager who’s parents give a lot of trust and space, i am a great kid. Not into drugs, i belive in abstinence, and i keep my grades up. Let your child have some space people.
fnaf
It’s commendable that you’re concerned about your children’s online safety. The digital landscape can indeed present both opportunities and risks for young children.
fnaf
Thank you for your post; I’ve been looking for such an article for a long time, and today I’ve found it. This post provides me with a wealth of advice; it is very helpful to me
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