Trendy Teen Apps

Trying To Keep Up With Your Teen

Are you able to identify any of the apps listed below? If you were to ask your son or daughter, I would bet that a majority of them would be able to tell you the name of every app listed below. I picked these apps to share with you because they are very popular amongst our students right now and I want you to be an informed parent.

Tonight would be a good time for you to sit down with your child and take inventory of the apps that are on his/her devices, whether it be a personal device or school issued. Encourage your child to go through apps that they are utilizing in school. Ask your daughter to demonstrate how she is using them. Ask your daughter/son to show you what apps she/he is using to interact with his friends.

zoom_out_map

Snapchat

Snapchat is one of the most popular apps amongst students right now. Snapchat is an erasable photo messaging app. Contrary to popular belief, Snapchat photos actually aren't deleted. I think it would be good idea to read this article "What is Snapchat and Why Do Kids Love It and Parents Fear It?" Ask your child how they would feel if all of their "deleted" Snapchat photos eventually showed up in Google image search of their name?

zoom_out_map

Omegle

Parents need to know that this chat site’s catch phrase, "Talk to strangers!", says it all. Though created by an 18-year-old, Omegle is not for kids. The site puts two strangers together in a chat room. Though chats start out anonymous, users often ask for and share personal information. Language is uncensored, and sexual come-ons and requests for email addresses are common. Omegle might be fun if both users desired a real conversation, but the odds of this here seem unlikely. It might be worth the effort for older teens willing to sift through the trash talk. But most kids should definitely steer clear.

zoom_out_map

Monkey

Parents need to know that Monkey randomly connects teens with other Snapchat users for a 10-second video chat. They can add more time or add the person on Snapchat to continue the connection. Before connecting, teens will see the age and gender of the potential friend, and they can accept the video chat or not. The terms of service allow users ages 13 and older, but there's no verification of age. Personal information is collected and can be shared with third parties. Read the privacy policy for more information about the information collected and shared.