{"id":75634,"date":"2013-03-19T12:53:58","date_gmt":"2013-03-19T07:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.quickheal.com\/?p=75634"},"modified":"2013-03-19T12:53:58","modified_gmt":"2013-03-19T07:23:58","slug":"how-safe-are-these-apps-for-your-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickheal.com\/blogs\/how-safe-are-these-apps-for-your-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"How safe are these apps for your kids?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does your child have access to a Smartphone? Then it\u2019s about time you know about certain apps that are popular with children and young adults. Most of these apps are designed to keep your children\u2019s online conversation as private as possible. Some allow them to take a picture and share it while keeping it safe from the curious eyes of parents. What\u2019s scary is the fact that these apps allow them to share images, chat and communicate not only with friends but with strangers as well.
\nHere are some of the popular apps that children and young adults use to keep their online conversations as secret as possible:
\n\"wa\"<\/a>WhatsApp\u00a0<\/strong>
\nWhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app that allows exchange of messages without having to pay for SMS. There is no actual age restriction.
\nWhat are the possible concerns? Unlimited texting, photo and video sharing including the ability to share location to anyone on the friend list increase the risk of Sexting (the sending or receiving of texts, photos, or videos of a sexual nature). Whatsapp doesn\u2019t use SSL encryption \u2013 which might allow hackers to view private information through unsecure WiFi networks.
\n\"insta\"<\/a> Instagram<\/strong>
\nInstagram is an image sharing app. That allows users to take a picture from their photo library or click one, apply filters to it and upload it.
\nThe scary part: Use of Hastags for the images allows anyone (including complete strangers) with access to Instagram to view the image and the private information associated with it. This ups the risk for Sexting. And additional concern is the fact that it allows searching for images without the fear of these being reflected in the browser history.
\n\"kik\"<\/a> Kik Messenger<\/strong>
\nThis app doesn\u2019t restrict itself to just texting, Kik users can exchange videos, sketches, etc. Recently the makers introduced Kik Cards and features built in HTML5 that allows users to send YouTube videos, find and share images, GIFs, Reddit pics, etc.
\nWhat are the concerns? While the age limit is 17+, the app is actually popular among school kids aged 12-16. The app gives access to information to anyone with a \u2018Kik username\u2019. Increases the risk of exposing personal information to strangers as one has to just type a name to view details. Online grooming by strangers and sexting are huge concerns.
\n\"snapchat\"<\/a> Snapchat<\/strong>
\nAllows users to send a video or an ugly selfie (a modified image that is supposed to be funny) to their friends or anyone they wish to send it to. The app then destroys the image after the user has received after a period of 10 -15 seconds.
\nWhat are concerns? Receiver can take a screenshot of the image. It increases the risk of cyberbullying and\/or sexting.<\/p>\n

\"live\"<\/a> Liveprofile<\/strong>
\nLiveProfile allows users to send unlimited texts, photos and videos to anyone on their accepted friend list.
\nConcerns? Their Facebook page has an extensive list of individuals from all over the world giving away their user IDs. The app provides an option to team up or interact as a group \u2013 a facility that might be misused by cyberbullies to gang-up against one individual. Online grooming by strangers and sexting are other risks associated with the use of these apps.
\nThe list as given above is not exhaustive, everyday or month a new social app is created and the most recent one to do so \u2018Pheed\u2019. The app promises to be the new craze for teens all over the world.<\/p>\n

What you can do?<\/strong><\/p>\n