TYLER, Texas — This week we are taking a look at the 15 apps you should be aware of on your kids' phones. We begin the week with four of them: TikTok, WhatsApp, Snapchat and MeetMe.
- First, let's break down TikTok.
The company says their mission is to "inspire creativity and create joy." There is a lot of that going around on the app, which is a good thing. But there are data privacy concerns, since TikTok is owned by a company that is headquartered in China.
While there is definitely creativity on the app, there are some challenges that pop up that you should not try. The most recent challenge that has gone viral is one where you partially remove a plug from the socket and drop a penny onto the prongs. Needless to say, this is incredibly dangerous. - The second app is WhatsApp.
It is owned by Facebook and offers the ability to message as well as voice and video call people anywhere in the world. It is a great tool for people that have friends in other countries as it saves money on international text messages and phone calls. But it does open up the ability for kids to chat or video call with someone without a parent knowing. - The third app is Snapchat.
With over 210 million people on average using it every day, it is safe to say that you have probably encountered it at some point. It has a messaging feature, in addition to being able to send photos.
There's also a feature in Snapchat where you can turn on your location. It is built as an easy way to find your friends. But if your child has added people they don't know, those people can also see their location. - MeetMe as another one to keep an eye on.
It is a social media app that has some features that are similar to Facebook, such as the ability to create a profile, connect with people and go live. However, it encourages connecting with new people instead of established ones and doesn't have the privacy settings that more established social networking apps have.
On the surface, there is nothing inherently wrong with using these apps, but have a conversation with your kids and remind them to never share personal information when you are using it. That includes street signs, identifying landmarks or turning on location based services.
We will be sharing other apps you should be aware of all week long, along with tips on how to keep your children safe.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about apps, email me at abaker@cbs19.tv.