.png)
Every year, new apps emerge for kids and teens to discover. Some can be beneficial to your child’s growth—and some can make them vulnerable to serious online dangers, including revealing their physical location. Here are some of the most popular apps among kids and teens and the pros and cons of each.
Tik Tok
Tik Tok is a video-sharing app that became hugely popular during the pandemic.
Pros:
Allows users to watch and create videos containing dance moves, other performances, and fun and silly Tik Tok challenges.
Has a safety feature that allows parents to control the types of content their child can see on the app.
Developed a series in partnership with the National Association for Media Literacy (NAMLE) to help kids identify misinformation online.
Cons:
Allows children to share sensitive information and link to other social media sites.
Sometimes features inappropriate content.
If your child creates an account without your knowledge, they can bypass parental restrictions.
YouTube
YouTube is another video-sharing service, the most popular social media app among kids and teens.
Pros:
Kids can create and share videos on their own channel and grow their own following.
Can be highly educational.
Can expand kids’ imaginations and creativity.
Cons:
YouTube and its parent company Google collect and sell user data, so there’s no true privacy, and inappropriate content is easy to access.
Posted content can’t be deleted. It can be taken down, but users can copy and post content elsewhere, so extreme care is recommended.
SnapChat
Snapchat lets users share pictures, videos, and texts that disappear after they’re viewed.
Pros:
No “likes” or “hearts,” so your child won’t fixate on content popularity.
Helps kids stay in touch with friends.
Features editing tools to encourage creativity and self-expression.
Cons:
Content doesn’t really disappear. Snapchat saves it, and users can take screenshots and repost them elsewhere.
Kids can unknowingly share content with their “friends” on the app, who may be malicious strangers.
“Discover” section can include mature content.
Omegle
Omegle allows strangers to talk in video chat rooms anonymously.
Pros:
Allows users to meet new people online.
Cons:
The app is designed for adults, not kids.
The site itself warns that predators often use its site.
No registration or age verification is required.
Unmoderated chats frequently contain nudity and sexual behavior.
Teach Kids Healthy Tech Use With Net Positive
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens and leaders. We accomplish this by providing evidence-based programs with a focus on those that improve academic engagement, build character, and improve healthy behaviors.
Our Net Positive Program educates K-12 students about digital safety, health, citizenship and leadership. After participating in our program, students are 97% better prepared to face internet dangers. Contact us to learn more and ask your school to schedule a Net Positive Presentation, or support us with your donation today!
References
CyberWise Learning Hub: TikTok. (2022). Cyberwise. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://www.cyberwise.org/tiktok
CyberWise Omegle Hub: Learn About the Chat with Strangers Site. (2022). Cyberwise. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://www.cyberwise.org/omegle
Saady, M. K. (2021, December 14). The Pros and Cons of Your Kid's Favorite Social Media Platforms. ParentsTogether. Retrieved July 22, 2022, from https://parents-together.org/the-pros-and-cons-of-your-kids-favorite-social-media-platforms/
Comments