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Understanding the Icons on your Child's Phone
Spillit - Spillit is a social media website with the purpose of finding out what others really think of you. It is an anonymous way to find out things about others or have people leave hurtful messages on your profile or a friend's profile. There is no way to control what people say or find out who said it. This site is often associated with cyber-bullying.
Facebook - Facebook is a social media site that allows individuals to connect with friends and family by uploading pictures, chatting, and posting profiles. There are many security settings and ways to monitor your child's profile. Please make sure privacy settings are enabled. For assistance with that, click here .
Twitter - Twitter is a real-time information network that connects indivduals to the latest stories, ideas, opinions, and news about what the individual finds interesting. Simply find the accounts you find the most compelling and follow the conversations. Make sure your children are following and being followed by appropriate people because you never know what they are learning.
Periscope - Periscope is a live video streaming platform. It transmits a live recording of you to your Periscope and Twitter followers. It is similar to Skype but you are not linked to one person but rather a whole community. In addition, whoever's watching you or your recording can comment and ask questions. Any comments show up on your screen while broadcasting, making it easy to answer and interact. This can be a dangerous app as students often don't realize they are sending out video that others can use to identify their location.
Whatsapp - Whatsapp is a cross-platform mobile messaging app that allows you to exchange messages without having to pay. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, etc.; and, yes, those phones can all message each other. You can also connect to anyone overseas free of charge. If you are a parent that monitors texting, be sure to see if this app is on your child's phone.
Instagram - Instagram is an online photo/video sharing social networking service that enables its users to take a picture, apply a filter and share that image on a variety of social networking sites, including its own, Facebook and Twitter. There is also a feature that allows users to send personal messages or videos to individual users called a direct message. Another feature is Flipagram, which allows users to tell stories with the photos, videos, and music on their phone. It plays like a short movie on the individual's Instagram account. Instagram has the right to sell users' photos to third parties without notification or compensation. Please make sure the photographs your child posts are appropriate; and, if they post a picture of someone else, make sure they have that person's consent. There are instances where a student's Instagram account will have over 400 followers, and the student may also be following 400 people. Make sure you know who is following your child's account and who they are following as well.
Kik - Kik is a mobile app that people can use to text with friends at high speed with more of a "face-to-face" feel than regular texting. Users' profile pictures appear in a little bubble next to their text, and they can quickly text photos, sketches, or even pre-designed greeting cards to individuals or groups. The app is rated ages 17+, but there is no age verification so anyone can download it. Like some other instant messenger apps, Kik allows your child to connect with others using just a user name rather than texting from a phone number. As a result, it is often associated with cyber-bullying because the perpetrator can remain nameless. Because this app does not need a phone number, it is difficult to monitor if your child is texting through it.
Snapchat - Snapchat is a very popular photo messaging app for smart phone users. Using the app, users can take photos, record videos, add text and drawings and send pictures to friends. Users set a time limit for how long recipients can view their photos (up to 10 seconds), after which they are deleted from the recipient's device and the company's servers. There are new features added all the time. For example, a feature called Lenses allows the user to add real-time special effects and sounds to any picture or video. Another feature allows users to instant message, live chat, turn on geolocator and send stories to each other. A Snapchat Story is a group of images the user has captured and would like to share over the span of 24 hours. The user can choose who can access the story. The intent of Snapchat is for fun pictures to be sent, but this app has become popular for sending sexually innapropriate photos to friends. Please remember that nothing can be deleted forever. Your child may think that the picture has been deleted, but an iPhone user can take a screen shot, which will allow any picture to be saved and sent to anyone.
Yik Yak - Yik Yak is referred to as the "anonymous social wall for anything and everything." All users are anonymous. (Registration requires no personal information other than a user's location.) Posts are called "Yaks" and show up in a live feed for other "Yakkers" in the area. The app's content-generation and moderation is entirely in the hands of its users who can "vote" posts up or down in the news feed. After two "down" votes, a "Yak" disappears. The app is rated 17+ and targets college students, who use it to spread the word about events or share their thoughts. However, younger students are downloading the app and using it to post hurtful comments and rumors about their peers.
Vine - Vine is Twitter's mobile app that allows users to shoot and share short videos (6 seconds or less). It is rated 17+, but children and teens are downloading it. As with any multimedia app, the content can vary depending on who your child is following. A follower can view any videos made by your child or their friends.
ASKfm - ASKfm, Formspring, and similar sites allow users to ask and answer questions. The question and given responses are then published on the user's profile page. These pages allow for a place to share your perspective on everything and anything. However, because these sites can be anonymous, they can lead to inappropriate and hurtful comments. Please monitor your child's page if they have an account.
Whisper - Whisper is a 17+ app with the motto: "Share Secrets, Express Yourself, Meet New People." It allows users to set up anonymous accounts to make their messages or confessions overlap an image (similar to an e-postcard), which other users can "like," "share," or comment on. While it allows for personal expression, it can also be abused through the sharing of personal information. The app also shows a user's location, which makes it more dangerous. Although the app is geared toward older teens and adults, younger children are finding their way to it.
YouTube - YouTube is a video-sharing website and app. Internet users can watch videos and view user comments, which are unedited. The site recommends additional video content based on what you're watching. At times, these suggestions are inappropriate for the user's age. It is important to supervise YouTube usage with children because of how videos are connected. One click leads to another, which often can lead to inappropriate video.
OoVoo - OoVoo is a video chat and messaging app. It is available for iPhone/iPod/iPad and Android devices. It can also be used on a computer. With OoVoo, you can video chat with up to 12 people at a time. You can also see four people in one screen during your video chat. This app is popular among teens, because it is a way for friends to "hang out" over the internet. Video chatting late at night has sometimes led to bad decision making for teens.
Omegle - Omegle is a online chat website that allows users to communicate via text or video with others without the need to register. The service randomly pairs users in one-on-one chat sessions where they chat anonymously using the names "You" and "Stranger" or "Stranger 1" and "Stranger 2". At the end of an Omegle chat, users have the option to save the chat's log and share the link. Therefore, the conversation is not really private; and the contents of the chat including any personal information shared can be sent to anyone without knowledge or consent. This site can be dangerous for obvious reasons. Please make sure your child is not on this site talking to strangers.
Spillit - Spillit is a social media website with the purpose of finding out what others really think of you. It is an anonymous way to find out things about others or have people leave hurtful messages on your profile or a friend's profile. There is no way to control what people say or find out who said it. This site is often associated with cyber-bullying. Facebook - Facebook is a social media site that allows individuals to connect with friends and family by uploading pictures, chatting, and posting profiles. There are many security settings and ways to monitor your child's profile. Please make sure privacy settings are enabled. For assistance with that, click here . Twitter - Twitter is a real-time information network that connects indivduals to the latest stories, ideas, opinions, and news about what the individual finds interesting. Simply find the accounts you find the most compelling and follow the conversations. Make sure your children are following and being followed by appropriate people because you never know what they are learning. Periscope - Periscope is a live video streaming platform. It transmits a live recording of you to your Periscope and Twitter followers. It is similar to Skype but you are not linked to one person but rather a whole community. In addition, whoever's watching you or your recording can comment and ask questions. Any comments show up on your screen while broadcasting, making it easy to answer and interact. This can be a dangerous app as students often don't realize they are sending out video that others can use to identify their location. Whatsapp - Whatsapp is a cross-platform mobile messaging app that allows you to exchange messages without having to pay. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, etc.; and, yes, those phones can all message each other. You can also connect to anyone overseas free of charge. If you are a parent that monitors texting, be sure to see if this app is on your child's phone. Instagram - Instagram is an online photo/video sharing social networking service that enables its users to take a picture, apply a filter and share that image on a variety of social networking sites, including its own, Facebook and Twitter. There is also a feature that allows users to send personal messages or videos to individual users called a direct message. Another feature is Flipagram, which allows users to tell stories with the photos, videos, and music on their phone. It plays like a short movie on the individual's Instagram account. Instagram has the right to sell users' photos to third parties without notification or compensation. Please make sure the photographs your child posts are appropriate; and, if they post a picture of someone else, make sure they have that person's consent. There are instances where a student's Instagram account will have over 400 followers, and the student may also be following 400 people. Make sure you know who is following your child's account and who they are following as well. Kik - Kik is a mobile app that people can use to text with friends at high speed with more of a "face-to-face" feel than regular texting. Users' profile pictures appear in a little bubble next to their text, and they can quickly text photos, sketches, or even pre-designed greeting cards to individuals or groups. The app is rated ages 17+, but there is no age verification so anyone can download it. Like some other instant messenger apps, Kik allows your child to connect with others using just a user name rather than texting from a phone number. As a result, it is often associated with cyber-bullying because the perpetrator can remain nameless. Because this app does not need a phone number, it is difficult to monitor if your child is texting through it. Snapchat - Snapchat is a very popular photo messaging app for smart phone users. Using the app, users can take photos, record videos, add text and drawings and send pictures to friends. Users set a time limit for how long recipients can view their photos (up to 10 seconds), after which they are deleted from the recipient's device and the company's servers. There are new features added all the time. For example, a feature called Lenses allows the user to add real-time special effects and sounds to any picture or video. Another feature allows users to instant message, live chat, turn on geolocator and send stories to each other. A Snapchat Story is a group of images the user has captured and would like to share over the span of 24 hours. The user can choose who can access the story. The intent of Snapchat is for fun pictures to be sent, but this app has become popular for sending sexually innapropriate photos to friends. Please remember that nothing can be deleted forever. Your child may think that the picture has been deleted, but an iPhone user can take a screen shot, which will allow any picture to be saved and sent to anyone. Yik Yak - Yik Yak is referred to as the "anonymous social wall for anything and everything." All users are anonymous. (Registration requires no personal information other than a user's location.) Posts are called "Yaks" and show up in a live feed for other "Yakkers" in the area. The app's content-generation and moderation is entirely in the hands of its users who can "vote" posts up or down in the news feed. After two "down" votes, a "Yak" disappears. The app is rated 17+ and targets college students, who use it to spread the word about events or share their thoughts. However, younger students are downloading the app and using it to post hurtful comments and rumors about their peers. Vine - Vine is Twitter's mobile app that allows users to shoot and share short videos (6 seconds or less). It is rated 17+, but children and teens are downloading it. As with any multimedia app, the content can vary depending on who your child is following. A follower can view any videos made by your child or their friends. ASKfm - ASKfm, Formspring, and similar sites allow users to ask and answer questions. The question and given responses are then published on the user's profile page. These pages allow for a place to share your perspective on everything and anything. However, because these sites can be anonymous, they can lead to inappropriate and hurtful comments. Please monitor your child's page if they have an account. Whisper - Whisper is a 17+ app with the motto: "Share Secrets, Express Yourself, Meet New People." It allows users to set up anonymous accounts to make their messages or confessions overlap an image (similar to an e-postcard), which other users can "like," "share," or comment on. While it allows for personal expression, it can also be abused through the sharing of personal information. The app also shows a user's location, which makes it more dangerous. Although the app is geared toward older teens and adults, younger children are finding their way to it. YouTube - YouTube is a video-sharing website and app. Internet users can watch videos and view user comments, which are unedited. The site recommends additional video content based on what you're watching. At times, these suggestions are inappropriate for the user's age. It is important to supervise YouTube usage with children because of how videos are connected. One click leads to another, which often can lead to inappropriate video.
OoVoo - OoVoo is a video chat and messaging app. It is available for iPhone/iPod/iPad and Android devices. It can also be used on a computer. With OoVoo, you can video chat with up to 12 people at a time. You can also see four people in one screen during your video chat. This app is popular among teens, because it is a way for friends to "hang out" over the internet. Video chatting late at night has sometimes led to bad decision making for teens. Omegle - Omegle is a online chat website that allows users to communicate via text or video with others without the need to register. The service randomly pairs users in one-on-one chat sessions where they chat anonymously using the names "You" and "Stranger" or "Stranger 1" and "Stranger 2". At the end of an Omegle chat, users have the option to save the chat's log and share the link. Therefore, the conversation is not really private; and the contents of the chat including any personal information shared can be sent to anyone without knowledge or consent. This site can be dangerous for obvious reasons. Please make sure your child is not on this site talking to strangers. 