RBC | A recent flurry of arrests across the country has prompted many law enforcement agencies to issue warnings urging parents to closely monitor the cell phones of their children in an attempt to protect them from sexual predators. For example, 25 men were recently arrested in Florida for allegedly trying to have sex with children. This prompted the Sheriff of Sarasota County to issue a warning about apps that are used by predators to exploit children. The arrests happened from July 17-20 after the suspects responded to internet ads, online apps and social media sites, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Here’s a list of the top 15 apps most vulnerable to this kind of exploitation:
– ‘MeetMe,’ is an app where teens can easily be in contact with users much older than them, with an emphasis on dating.
– ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘SnapChat’ are for messaging, but what you should know is teens can send unlimited messages, have video chats and even share their live location with other users, people they may not even know.
– ‘Skout’ is a flirting app that’s used to meet and chat with new people. Teens and adults are in different groups, but ages aren’t verified.
– ‘TikTok’ is used for sharing user created videos that can contain bad words, even adult content.
– ‘Badoo’ and ‘Bumble’ are dating apps for adults, but teens can still find ways to join.
– ‘Grindr’ is geared towards the LGBTQ community. It allows users to share photos and meet up based on phone’s GPS location.
– ‘Kik’ is specifically for kids, but anyone can join and anyone can contact or direct message your child.
– ‘LiveMe’ is a live streaming app, but you don’t know who’s watching and your kids location is revealed.
– ‘Holla’ is all about connecting strangers around the world through video chat. Enough said.
– ‘Whisper’ is a social confessional where kids can remain anonymous, but still share their feelings. And it can reveal your child’s location for a meet up.
– ‘ASKfm’ encourages people to allow anonymous users to ask them questions, which opens the door for online bullying.
– ‘Hot or Not’ rates users on attractiveness. There’s no age verification and users can send each other messages.
– And lastly, ‘Calculator%’ apps are several secret apps that allows kids to hide their photos, videos, even browser history.
Something else to remember is that many of the listed apps can be accessed from a desktop or laptop computer. The Internet can be a very dangerous place (even for adults) if we aren’t on our guard at all times. Kids aren’t known for their “situational awareness” and something like a chat session with another kid from across the country whom they have never actually met may be anything but harmless. It’s far too easy for adults to impersonate a kid by saying all the right things in an attempt to lure them into their confidence. What’s even more bothersome is that in many cases, once personal information is shared, it can’t be unshared. A great resource for things that parents need to know is https://www.commonsensemedia.org/.
By BRETT DEARMAN | [email protected]
