Just like older generations never thought that the dial phone in the kitchen could be dangerous (think phone scams), today’s kids don’t have a clue how hazardous smartphone apps can really be. They are a godsend to pedophiles, scammers and hackers. And let’s not forget other kids who just want to be cruel bullies.
Parents should have informative discussions with their kids about the various apps out there. And it’s okay to forbid particular apps you aren’t comfortable with. Like Musicly, search “Musicly safe for kids” and see why. Apps aren’t as innocent as you think. They are potential gateways to some real creepsters out there—and that’s putting it mildly.
Applications have safety settings. Do you know what they are? How they work?
- A person with or without an Instagram account can view your images unless you have the security setting on for “Private Account” under “Options.”
Snapchat
- Enable the self-destruct feature to destroy communications quickly after they are sent.
- But don’t rely on this entirely, because it takes only seconds for the recipient to screenshot the text or sext into cyberspace.
- Set the “Who Can Contact Me” setting to “My Friends” so that strangers posing as 13-year-olds don’t get through to your child.
Whisper
- Don’t let the name fool you; Whisper is not anonymous, thanks to geotagging.
- Go to your iPhone’s settings and change the location access to “Never.”
Kik
- Kik is not anonymous, contrary to popular belief, because anyone can get ahold of a youth’s username on other social media, making it possible to then contact that person on Kik.
- Under “Notifications” disable “Notify for New People.” This will put strangers’ messages in a separate list.
- Don’t share usernames.
Askfm
- This question-and-answer service attracts cyberbullies.
- In the privacy settings, uncheck “Allow Anonymous Questions.”
- The user should remain anonymous.
Omegle
- This video-chatting service is a draw for pedophiles.
- It should never be linked to a Facebook account.
Your worries are fully justified. Words, images, and video, are very powerful. Though the age of e-communications is here to stay, so are psychos. It’s their world too. Your kids, unfortunately, must share it with them, but that doesn’t mean they have to receive communications from them or be “friends” with them.
Robert Siciliano CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, personal security and identity theft expert and speaker is the author of 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Your Identity Was Stolen. See him knock’em dead in this identity theft prevention video.
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