Feb 11

Feb 11 Safe Internet Day is February 11th

Artificial Intelligence, Children, Children's Health, City of Lexington, City of Thomasville, Columns, Consumer Alert

February 11th, is a great time to talk with your family about staying safe online. #StartTheConversation. We hope to remind parents to have hard conversations with your kids about the internet and personal safety. Teaching the importance of thinking things through before posting is very important for their comfort and safety. Here is a listing of popular apps and their uses as a parent or internet user that you should know about.

SNAPCHAT allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after they’re received, but pictures don’t completely disappear from a device and users can take a screenshot before an image vanishes.

SKOUT is a location-based dating app and website. While users under 17 are unable to share private photos, kids can easily create an account using a different age.

X is a networking site for “public” conversations or direct messages. It has also been used for bullying or harassment.

OMEGLE lets users chat with strangers through text or video in real time, with no registration required. While it can be used for casual conversations, users have reported encountering inappropriate content, cyberbullying, explicit material, and even predatory behavior.

INSTAGRAM is a photo/video sharing app. Profiles can be public allowing anyone to see or comment. Teens can create fake accounts to hide content and use the messaging feature.

GRINDER is a dating app geared toward gay, bi, and transgender people. The app gives users options to chat, share photos, and meet up based on a smartphone’s GPS location.

WHATSAPP is a messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, voicemails, make calls, and video chats worldwide. The app uses an internet connection on smartphones and computers.

ROBLOX is an online gaming platform where users can play games designed by others or create and share their own. Be aware of in-app purchases chat features, “condo” games, and using “signs” to communicate if chat is blocked.

BADOO is a dating and social networking app where users can chat, share photos & videos, and connect based on location. While the app is for adults, teens are known to create profiles.

KIK allows anyone to contact and direct message your child. Kids can bypass traditional text messaging features. KIK gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

HILY is a dating app where users can browse photos, engage in chats, send private videos, and more. Based on the GPS location of the phone, strangers can arrange to meet up locally.

DISCORD allows users to talk to friends or strangers in real-time via voice/text or video chat while playing games. Users have seen racial slurs, explicit content, cyberbullying, and more.

MEETME is a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity. As the app’s name suggests, users are encouraged to meet each other in person.

WHISPER is an anonymous social network that promotes sharing secrets with strangers. It also reveals a user’s location so people can meet up.

MONKEY is a live video chat app that connects users to random strangers worldwide, offering group chat and private message options. Rated for 12+, but has mild sexual content and nudity.

AMONG US is a space-themed online multiplayer social game where players can message and chat with each other.

ASKFM is known for cyberbullying. The app encourages users to allow people to ask and chat anonymously with them in 40 different languages.

HOLLA is a video chat app that allows users to meet people all over the world in seconds.

BEST SECRET FOLDER is specifically meant to hide photos and videos. It features password protection, decoy videos, and alarm settings.

LIVE ME is a live-streaming video app that uses geolocation to share videos so users can find out a broadcaster’s exact location. Users can earn ‘coins’ to pay minors for photos.

YIK YAK is a location-based network app to connect with people around your location. It is an anonymous virtual bulletin board known for bullying.

CALCULATOR% is only one of several secret apps used to hide photos, videos, files, and browser history.

REDDIT is a chat/discussion board app. Users can post whatever they want without identity verification. Reviewers have been confronted with racial slurs, explicit content & more.