In my last post, I discussed the
pitfalls to social media and how it is one (of many) factors our kiddos are
facing that we as parents did not have to face. Stress comes at our kids in
many ways, so this post will only concentrate on digital aspects. The first way
to combat social media is to know about what kids are using for communication.
Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, What's App, and Instagram are the ones we know
about, but there are more. Xbox, Nintendo (all products with WIFI), and some
apps like Roblox all have communication capabilities, but most parents are not
aware of this aspect. Others like Down, Kik, Hot or Not, AfterSchool, and many
others are also popular among kids. In the following reading, I will expose a
few of these and provide links for you to further research on your own. I will
also spend some time explaining how to protect your kids from accessing these
potentially harmful apps. Once they have access to these apps, you don't have
any way to track their activities. The reality of this problem is you can have
their passwords and usernames, but you don't have access to ALL of their
accounts. Instagram is one example of a resource they can have multiple
usernames/accounts and you would/could even know. Let's get started…
Social media isn't the only beast.
Kids have the ability to hide apps on their phones through spoofing apps or
vaults. The examples below are just two of the apps that can hide other apps
within their app. Some of these can even be protected by a passcode. The most
recent one is named "HIP" Hide it Pro, be aware.
The iOS app even states it is for use
by age 4+, WHAT! Apps like these can make keeping our kids safe even harder. I
honestly do not yet see an application for apps like these. How do we combat
these apps? Look for apps that are out of the ordinary on your kid's phones.
Ask yourself, why would they need this app?
Now, what are the apps that are the
most concerning? Keep in mind most is not all social media resources have an
age requirement, and that is 13 years of age. This would be your 8th-grade
student, not your 5th-grade student. Students under the age of 13 have no place
on social media, my opinion. Instagram or IG, Facebook, and Twitter are the
ones most adults know about, and I will assume that you can research these on
your own.
We will look into Omegle, Whisper, and
Ask.fm. These apps are not the only ones, but in my opinion, they are the
scariest for kids to be using. Let's look at Omegle first. The app is designed
as a chat/video chat program/app. Once you access the program, you will be
connected to another user by video or chat at random! You do not know who you
will be connected with, that is scary for sure. Omegle is not the only program/app
that works in the manor. I would recommend you look at learningliftoff.com for
more of these apps and more detail of each one.
Whisper is another scary app. This app
allows you to connect with others, anonymously, from all over the world. Even
though this is an anonymous connection, users can still track each other's
location if the user does not turn off location on their device they are using.
You can even choose "nearby" as an option. This option will connect
you to others close to you. This app has been known as a hookup app by teens
for a while. Users also can share photos and other communication in a
"private chat room" if they choose to do so, no other safeguards are
in place.
The last app we will discuss has been
tied to teen suicide and bullying. Ask.fm is like the others in that it is an
anonymous communication app. People can ask rude or hurtful questions to an
individual, and there is no way to block them. Even if a user does not connect
with others, they can still connect with you and track your activities within
the app.
Know these are just a few that bother
me the most and should concern you also. Now, how do we combat this issue? We
can battle this by being informed. Websites like Common Sense Media are here to
help. The key here is that you use a trustworthy resource, CSM is the one I
would always recommend. You can also monitor what your kiddo/teen is doing on
their phone. Privacy concerns are moot; student safety trumps these privacy
concerns.
For the iOS/iPhone option, I would
recommend setting your student up with a kid iCloud account, no matter their
age. Once this is set up, you can reset your child's device and use this new
account. You then will be able to know what app they add to the device because
you will have to approve all apps added, free. Or purchased. You, as the
parent, will also be able to decide what apps work and don't work. You also can
control the time limits and when the device will and will not work. Total big
brother power here, and the child will not be able to while the device. To
learn more, click the link below.
For an Android option, you can find a
lot of apps that will act as the launcher. Once these launchers are installed
it will require a passcode to remove or access the UI. The problem with these
apps is that your child could reset the device. You can use Family Link for
both iOS and Android devices and have the same functionality and control. Use
the link below to help you better understand the process.
PC monitoring is an area where I am
not too knowledgeable. You could use routers like Circle by Disney to control
the traffic on your WIFI connection or even Google WIFI to turn devices on and
off. Placing the PC/laptop in a central location of the home so you can see
what the student/kiddo/child is doing is an option. In a lot of cases, students
bring devices home from school, controlling the WIFI signal is your best
option. Most devices that students bring home from school have software
installed that will block downloads. In this case, WIFI control at home is the
best option. Use the link below for more information on this topic.
As stated above, the best way to keep
kids safe is to be informed. Common Sense Media is an excellent website for not
only dangerous programs. Along with being informative in the area of
applications and sites, it can also support you in choosing games and movies
for your kids. There is a lot of bad things out there. It is our job as
adults and parents to keep our kids safe from making harmful or damaging
decisions. I genuinely believe we can make the world a safer place, but we have
to work together and be well informed. We owe this to our kids and their
future.
Your partner in education,
Douglas Greek EdD
No comments:
Post a Comment