Kids Safety
Every day sees the launch of hundreds of new mobile apps. Some are destined for oblivion and others for extreme popularity. But popular does not always mean secure.
Even people who know they may be taking risks by playing their favorite game often ignore the risks and hope their luck will hold. It’s important to choose your apps wisely. However, sometimes simply unchecking a couple of boxes can make an app much more secure.
Choosing apps and settings
Before you install a new app on your tablet or smartphone, we recommend you do the following:
- Search for information on the app on trusted websites about online security. Look for points about whether the app poses any threat to the device or data security. If there are risks, you have to figure out whether they can be minimized through app settings or antivirus protection. Don’t use features that may leave you vulnerable — or don’t use the app at all, if it’s known to be dangerous or insecure.
- Check whether the app has an appropriate age-based rating, especially when it comes to games. There’s a lot of mature stuff out there.
- Make sure users of your age are permitted by the app’s rules. Some apps rated “3+” in the store have user agreements that state they’re appropriate only for 14 and up. That’s because stores and app developers sometimes disagree. Maybe a 5-year-old is skilled enough to operate an app, but it’s appropriate for teens, not younger kids. If you violate those rules and get busted, your profile can be blocked. Here, honesty helps prevent disappointment.
- Prevent unwanted in-app purchases. This is especially important if your parents’ credit card is tied to your phone. Stories abound of kids getting drawn in and spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on easy in-game purchases. To avoid that happening to you, enable confirmations for each purchase. That way, even if you accidentally hit “Buy,” the system will ask for a password before charging the account.
Which apps may be dangerous?
Here are five examples of popular apps that can have bad consequences. Obviously, they’re not the only ones! But think like a security expert for a moment and consider what it is about these apps that make them risky. Then think about other apps you’d like to download. Any similarities? If so, look carefully at the risky elements and maybe reconsider the decision.
Snapchat
What is it?
An app for exchanging messages, photos, and videos, which vanish after a period of time that you set.
Where’s the risk?
The idea behind Snapchat to make sure your personal messages don’t get passed around and resurface later. But sometimes that peace of mind leads to feeling comfortable exchanging very personal photos and videos. And even though Snapchat deletes the messages, the recipient has other ways of saving it — for example, they could easily take a screenshot and show that to anyone.
Whisper
What is it?
A social network where people share secrets and communicate with other users.
Where’s the risk?
First, those “whispered” conversations themselves can be nasty, inappropriate, or even criminal. You never know what kind of conversation you might end up in, and they could be extremely uncomfortable. Second, there is a section on Whisper called MeetUp, which facilitates real-life meetings for users. That is far too risky to even consider. Just remember: You can never know anything for sure about people online, and very dangerous people use the Internet to sweet-talk children into meeting in person.
Yik Yak
What is it?
An instant messaging app for chatting with anonymous users located within a few miles of one another.
Where’s the risk?
In the US, this app presented a very serious problem for schools in particular, for example, attracting students into an anonymous chat room where basically anyone could insult teachers — and other students. The bullying opportunities are epic, in particular if schoolmates are able to identify one another.
Tinder
What is it?
A dating app. It was created for users 18 and older, but minors can get in.
Where’s the risk?
If you use Tinder, anyone in your area can see your photo, know you live close by, and attempt to meet you in person. It could be anyone. A Tinder profile, together with other social network info, can also provide someone savvy with plenty of gossip material on you.
Pokémon Go
What is it?
A super-popular augmented reality game. While moving around the real world, a user catches, trains, and engages virtual pokémon in battles.
Where’s the risk?
It’s actually quite dangerous to walk around while staring at a screen. From the moment the game launched, the Internet was flooded with real stories of players who got hit by a car or injured in other ways because they weren’t paying attention to their surroundings. Besides that, some players were led by the game to unsafe spaces like abandoned buildings. Some were led to private property — people’s houses — and the owners weren’t too happy with players trespassing. Even the game developers had to warn users against going into potentially dangerous locations.
