Mums and dads have been urged to be vigilant over a string of smartphone apps which could pose dangers to your children.
Kids are being told to exercise caution in relation to these 15 applications.
Mums and Dads have been urged to be vigilant over a string of smartphone apps which could pose dangers to your children.
The list of 15 includes apps ‘known for cyberbullying and for encouraging kids to ‘share secrets with strangers’.
If you have concerns about a child contact police online, on 101 or 999 if a child is at immediate risk or danger cyberbullying.
Here are the 15 apps police say every parent should know about.
15. Meetme
Meetme is a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity.
As the app’s name suggests, users are encouraged to meet each other in person.
14. Grindr
Grindr is a dating app geared towards gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The app gives users options to chat, share photos and meet up based on a smart phone’s GPS location.
13. Skout
Skout is a location based dating app and wesbite.
While users under 17-years-old are unable to share private photos, kids can easily create an account using a different age.
12. Whatsapp
Whatsapp is a popular messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, make calls and video chats worldwide.
Whatsapp uses an internet connection on smart phones and computers.
11. TikTok
TikTok is a new mobile device app that is popular with kids and used for creating and sharing short videos.
With very limited privacy controls, users are vulnerable to bullying and explicit content.
10. Badoo
Badoo is a dating and social networking app where users can chat, share photos and videos and connect based on location.
While the app is intended for adults only, teens are known to create profiles.
9. Bumble
Bumble is similar to the popular dating app ‘tinder.’ However, it requires women to make the first contact.
Kids have been known to use Bumble to create fake accounts and falsify their age.
8. Snapchat
Snapchat is one of the most popular apps in recent years.
While the app promises users can take a photo or video and it will disappear, new features including ‘stories’ allow users to view content for up to 24 hours.
7. Kik
Kik allows anyone to contact and direct message your child.
Kids can bypass traditional text messaging features, Kik gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
6. Live.Me
Live.Me is a live streaming video app that uses geolocation to share videos so that users can find out a broadcaster’s exact location.
Users can earn ‘coins’ as a way to ‘pay’ minors for photos.
5. Holla
Holla is a self-proclaimed ‘addicting’ video chat app that allows users to meet people all over the world in just seconds.
Reviewers say they have been confronted with racial slurs, explicit content and more.
4. Whisper
Whisper is an anonymous social network that promotes sharing of secrets with strangers.
It also reveals a users location so people can meet up.
3. Ask.FM
Ask.FM is known for cyber bullying. The app encourages users to allow anonymous people to ask them questions.
2. Calculator%
Calculator% is only one of several secret apps used to hide photos, videos, files and browser history.
1. Hot or Not
Hot or Not encourages users to rate your profile, check out people in their area and chat with strangers.