Did you know that one of the kid's most popular apps gives complete strangers access to chat with them online?
Were you aware that another often used app introduces your child to soft porn?
And what if someone told you that "kid" profiles on streaming media apps are only as kid-proof as your child's ignorance?
One might not consider the dangers of such apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and Netflix, but beware, they are worth considering. At the time this article is written, there are 78.3 million Fornite users, 186 million Snapchat users, and 151 million Netflix subscribers.
The odds your children will remain unaffected by these and other apps, are highly unlikely.
It's not a new conversation, this "be careful what your kids download" subject. But often, parents request a list of the most dangerous apps so they can easily safeguard their child.
Unfortunately, it's not as simple as a Top 10, and even the "safe" apps can become dangerous. So as parents, we need to be vigilant. As someone who has worked in the wireless industry for seventeen years, I recommend three important parental filters:
1. Know your child--do they communicate openly with you, or are they private?
2.You own the phone (or tablet)--just because it's "theirs" doesn't mean it's off-limits. Have you set the expectation that you can look through their phone any time?
3. Just because it's "Kid Safe", doesn't mean it is--have you researched the app?
Your electronic devices can be fabulous additions to your family's options for entertainment and education. But a major error many parents make is trusting someone else—namely the app developer—to rate the potential harm for your child.
But, as a mom, not just someone who works in the industry, I've found that some of the safer apps are also important to not disregard.
It's time to learn about some potential dangers lurking in your child's bedroom that would rival any boogeyman.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/vejaa
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