New social media apps keep popping up. This often makes it difficult for parents to follow the progress of what their children are doing and do not understand whether the application is safe or not.
Therefore, online application company Bark Technologies helps parents to monitor children's online habits. They have monitored more than 30 social media platforms for content that is potentially harmful to children as reported by us from valleynewslive, Thursday (17/3/2022).
1. Snapchat
Number one is occupied by Snapchat, a service that has a feature to make messages and pictures disappear. But Barack Technologies warns for kids who may not fully understand that what they send isn't really lost forever.
Snapchat also has a location tracking feature called 'Snap Map' which shares the user's location with their friends, or maybe strangers.
2. Instagram
Instagram, the image and video sharing platform, ranks as the second most dangerous app for children. Bark Technologies officials say the app has followed in Snapchat's footsteps by adding a missing photo and message feature.
"One of the main dangers of Instagram is the sheer amount of inappropriate content that kids can access in a matter of seconds, especially fun photos. Parents may overlook this, but remember that private accounts do nothing to prevent porn searches, it only discourages certain users. see your child's post," said one company official.
3. Discord
The platform is popular among teenage gamers. Discord hosts various chat rooms, direct messages, and video calls. Chat rooms can range from large public video game services to small private groups.
On their list, Bark Technology said Discord could contain inappropriate content, from hate speech and pornography to online bullying and predators. In its 2021 Annual report, Bark found Discord on the top five platforms for bullying, suicidal ideation, and physical harassment.
4. Yik Yak
Yik Yak is a social media smartphone application that can be used without any registration and no information is requested. This app allows users to upload anonymous content. Users can share or discuss with people close to the user.
"Yik Yak is also a breeding ground for bullying, especially when it becomes popular on school campuses. Rumors can be posted and spread like wildfire. Another threat to watch out for is content that promotes sexual assault and violence, a problem this app had in 2017 ," said Bark officials.
5. Among Us
This video game engages four to 10 players against each other to uncover the secret con man in their group. In Among Us users create lists because mobile and tablet games have chat rooms for discussion between players.
Bark said the chat was censored, but profanity and abusive language could become commonplace.
6. Twitter
While usually associated with breaking news and celebrities, Bark said Twitter is also a major source for pornography.
"Kids know this and use Twitter to find pornography because the platform won't look suspicious if parents do a quick browser history check," Bark official said.
Similarly, because Twitter isn't completely loved by Gen Z, it also usually goes unnoticed by parents when setting screen time rules or creating web filters.
7. Omegle
Another anonymous app that can be dangerous, Omegle. It is an anonymous website that pairs users with strangers around the world.
Kids today are known to go to Omegle looking for entertainment during their stay just as the older generation did with prank calls or AOL chat rooms. Predators can use anonymous sites to target children. They can also save photos and videos from their meetings.
8. Hoop
Another app that parents love to miss is Hoop. Bark officials describe the platform as a cross between dating app Tinder and social media app Snapchat.
The site allows 12 year olds to search for profiles and start conversations with strangers. Profiles share information such as age, gender, and picture, and people can ask someone's Snapchat username to continue the conversation. Hoop claims that users over 18 years old will not be shown a child's profile.
However, Bark Technologies warns the app appears to be potentially abused.
9. Kik Messenger
Kik Messenger is a direct messaging app that Bark officials say has virtually no restrictions. The platform states that it's for children 13 and over, but the Apple App Store finds Kik Messenger inappropriate for anyone younger than 17.
Users can message friends and family members, but also strangers. This leaves the door open for potential predators to connect with victims.
10. Vault
This app is used to compile and hide content on phones and tablets. The Vault app often masquerades as a harmless app, the popular one being the fake calculator, which Bark officials say parents wouldn't normally think of.
"Whether they're hiding banned apps like Snapchat or even inappropriate photos, nudes, or lewd memes, vault apps can pose a problem," the list says.
11. Roblox
Roblox is a video game with a concept similar to Minecraft. This game is popular with children aged five to 12 years. Users can create and publish their own games.
Bark Technologies says as with any app with user-generated content, it's possible for children to find inappropriate or harmful game content while playing.
12. Yarn
Unlike Among Us or Twitter, Yarn is neither a game nor a social media app. Instead, it's a reading app. This website tells stories that can be scary or sexual.
Some of the story titles in the app include "Send Nude Photos?", "He's Watching Me", "Slasher Series," and "Sexting 101." At the end of the list, Bark Technologies reveals that children may not realize how dangerous the apps they are using are.
They recommend parents start a conversation with their kids, and weigh the pros and cons of the game, social media platform, or reading app they want to download.