How Predators Can Use 18 Online Apps to Target Kids
In an increasingly digital world, children and teens are spending significant amounts of time online, often using apps, games, and video-sharing platforms. However, just because an app is marketed towards a younger audience doesn’t guarantee its safety. It’s crucial for parents and guardians to investigate these platforms thoroughly, paying attention to key concerns such as:
Data Collection and Privacy
Many apps gather sensitive information, including age, location, and email addresses. Often, this data is shared with third-party companies, leaving children vulnerable to targeted advertising or potential data breaches.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content
Algorithms that drive the content on entertainment platforms can sometimes malfunction, exposing children to inappropriate or harmful material.
Cyberbullying and Harassment
Apps that enable interaction between users can become platforms for cyberbullying. Children may encounter harassment not just from peers but also from adults posing as other children.
Anonymous Messaging and Predators
Apps with anonymous messaging features are particularly dangerous. Predators can use these platforms to gain children’s trust, solicit personal information, and engage in grooming behavior.
Advertising and In-App Purchases
Children are especially susceptible to manipulative advertising and may unintentionally make costly in-app purchases.
Predators and Online Grooming
Online predators often disguise themselves as peers to build trust with children and teens. Grooming is a manipulative process where an offender creates a sense of friendship, trust, and emotional connection to exploit, manipulate, and abuse a child. Predators target children who appear vulnerable or are going through challenging times, presenting themselves as supportive friends who understand their struggles.
The grooming process can occur entirely online or lead to face-to-face meetings. Some predators aim to coerce children into sharing personal information, engaging in sexual activity on video calls, or sending explicit images. They use tactics such as:
Creating fake profiles to appear as someone close in age or from a nearby school.
Initiating conversations through public comments, direct messages, or chatrooms, then transitioning to private messages.
Gradually isolating the child by fostering secrecy and trust.
Exploiting shared personal information to coerce further compliance.
Statistics from Thorne (2022) reveal the alarming prevalence of these issues:
54% of minors believe online grooming is a common experience among their peers.
1 in 3 minors consider an online connection to be among their closest friends.
2 in 3 children aged 9-12 interact with unfamiliar adults online.
1 in 6 children aged 9-12 have had romantic or sexual conversations with an online-only contact.
Children may not recognize the danger due to a predator’s deceptive behavior, and even older kids who know they are speaking to an adult may comply out of fear or manipulation. Grooming can occur over hours or span years, making ongoing education and awareness critical.
The best prevention is a well-informed child and consistent, open communication between parents and children. Parents should foster a safe environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences without fear of judgment or punishment.
Tips for Staying Informed and Engaged
Maintaining open communication with your children about their online activity is essential. Regularly discuss their favorite apps and ask questions to understand their digital world better:
What are your favorite apps, and what do you like about them?
Can you teach me how to use your favorite app or show me how your favorite game works?
Have you met anyone new online? What do you talk about?
Are you friends with anyone you met online? How did you meet? Tell me about what they like to do. What do you like/dislike about them and your friendship?
Has anyone ever made you feel uncomfortable or upset online?
Has anyone you met online asked you to do something that made you feel weird or bad?
If something worried or scared you online, what would you do?
Popular Apps and Their Risks
Below is a detailed look at 18 popular apps and the dangers they may pose to children and teens. This is not a comprehensive list, and there are many other apps that may be dangerous.
TikTok: This platform’s algorithm tailors short-form videos to users’ preferences, which can sometimes result in exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.
Snapchat: Known for its disappearing messages and photos, Snapchat can facilitate cyberbullying or sexting. Its default location-sharing feature is another risk factor.
Roblox: While this game encourages creativity, it allows direct messaging with strangers, and user-generated games may include inappropriate themes.
Kik Messenger: This app lacks moderation and emphasizes connecting with strangers, making it a hotspot for cyberbullying and grooming.
WeChat: With features for messaging and connecting, this app can share a user’s location and facilitate contact with strangers.
Tellonym: A platform for receiving anonymous feedback, Tellonym’s default location-sharing feature adds another layer of concern.
Whisper: Designed for sharing anonymous secrets, this app’s lack of content moderation and location-sharing can lead to the exchange of harmful or inappropriate material.
BeReal: Encouraging users to post unfiltered photos daily, BeReal’s lack of moderation and location-sharing default may expose children to harmful content.
Discord: Users join interest-based channels, but some contain adult content, harassment, or cyberbullying.
YouTube: Although rich in educational content, YouTube’s algorithm may expose children to inappropriate videos. Interaction through comments can also be problematic.
WhatsApp: This messaging app supports text, voice, and video communication, but is commonly used for scams and cyberbullying.
RecRoom: A virtual reality platform where users interact with strangers in shared spaces. Inappropriate behavior and content are prevalent.
Twitch: Primarily used for video game streaming, Twitch features public and private chats where grooming and inappropriate interactions can occur.
Signal: With disappearing message features, Signal is frequently used for sexting and cyberbullying. It offers no parental controls.
GroupMe: This app supports anonymous messaging and promotes connections with strangers. It also shares location information by default.
Holla: Random video chats with strangers from around the world increase the risk of exposure to inappropriate behavior or predators.
Yubo: Often referred to as “Tinder for Teens,” this app encourages meeting strangers and uses location services, making it easy for predators to target children.
Telegram: Known for public groups and disappearing messages, Telegram enables users to connect with nearby strangers and lacks parental controls.
Final Thoughts
By staying proactive and maintaining an open dialogue, parents and guardians can help mitigate the risks associated with these platforms. Regularly monitoring apps, setting boundaries, and fostering trust and open communication with your children are key steps to ensuring their online safety.
