Social Media

I want to add to what Jodi has shared.  There are a number of apps that our kids really like to use.  I have spoken to a number of parents that just don't know or follow the apps that their kids are using.  I hear kids explaining how "innocent" these apps are to their parents and the parents simply take their word for it.  We have a set of rules for the use of smartphones and web enabled devices in our home. One of those rules is that our kids can not install new apps on their devices, it must been done by us.  I don't install an app until I have checked it out, which always entails a web-search about it and in most cases I install it myself and spend time learning it.

I thought I would share my thoughts and findings on a few apps I have come across.

Kik Messenger - Let me just say, I DO NOT allow this app in my house. Kids have so many other ways to message, they don't need one as dangerous as this one.   Here is a good article on it.  http://www.thetreenetwork.com/the-danger-of-instagram-and-kik-messenger/

For those of you with daughters(it would benefit those with sons too), I strongly suggest you read this article  http://www.hightechdad.com/2012/07/02/parents-beware-instagram-kik-messenger-are-a-dangerous-combination-what-social-dangers-to-check-for/

Like I said, I don't see a good reason my kids need Kik messenger, so I don't allow it. However, If you are going to allow your kids to use Kik messenger I suggest you read the following article:  http://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/parents-need-to-know-about-kik

Snap Chat - it allows you to take a picture and send it to another user.  The picture then is able to be viewed for 2-3 seconds and then it disappears.   (By the way, there are ways to save the picture.)  With the picture perceivably only lasting for 2 seconds, people tend to take pictures that they normally won't take.  Here are a couple of quotes:
"Even the most innocent observers would likely agree that Snapchat, with its default photo and video delete feature, is the perfect app for sexting."

I personally don't allow snapchat.  i would suggest that if your kids have SnapChat or you just want to read more, type "dangers of SnapChat" in Google.

Instagram, Vine & Twitter.  These are all fun apps that kids and adults use to share video's, pictures, & comments.    However, much like anything else, they can also open the door to some unsavory content.   I suggest you read this article: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/godandthemachine/2013/02/instagram-vine-and-porn-what-parents-should-know/

Basically any App that uses Hashtags is susceptible to inappropriate content. However, the use of Hashtags to find inappropriate content requires that the individual is proactively looking for it.  I am not going to get into the "how to" with hashtags but, if you suspect your kids may be using these apps to find inappropriate content, contact me and I can give you more background on Hashtags and how they work.