Без кейворда
Use this clever Mason jar trick to pack your next snack
How do you occupy a fussy toddler?
Your ultimate celebrity hot spot guide for TIFF 2017
The latest must-have chunks for any student’s bedroom
Savoury vegetarian pasta bake
Will and Kate are expecting baby number three
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nine talk apps your kids are using that you should know about
Do you know who your child is DM'ing? Do you know what DM'ing is? Whatever your level of tech savvy happens to be, if you have kids, you need to be up on the apps they're using to talk to their peers as part of your strategy to keep them safe online. Don't panic—there's nothing scary about the apps themselves. It's more about being informed and avoiding this:
Here are nine apps you should know about:
What it is: Primarily a photo sharing app that lets users post pictures for their followers/friends to see and like, Instagram also comes tooled with a little-used direct messaging feature.
Why they love it: The app is pretty popular across demographics, but kids might like the direct messaging feature specifically because it's one place you very likely didn't think to check. (Like, do you even check your own Instagram DMs?)
Why you should talk about it: Kids DM using the darndest things. While their Insta accounts may seem like a collection of selfies and pics of the family cat, talking to them about the types of photos they might be privately sharing through DMs and letting them know that those photos won't necessarily remain private is key.
What it is: A messaging app with photo and movie capabilities that doesn't require users to provide their real names.
Why they love it: Kik has all kinds of nice extras like e-cards, special emojis, and mini games.
Why you should talk about it: The app is mighty on advertising but it's not always clear who's an ad-bot and who's a real person. There is a block function however, and kids should be encouraged to use it liberally and only talk with people they know.
Snapchat
What it is: With two billion photos and movies sent using Snapchat every day, we're not sure how anything else is getting done. “Snaps” are visual messages that kids can alter with text, filters, drawings, and effects. The big seller: the messages vanish one to ten seconds after they're seen.
Why they love it: Snapchat gives the illusion of zero-consequence photo and movie sharing, making it joy to send ditzy or embarrassing photos kids may otherwise be too self-conscious to share.
Why you should talk about it: While the appearance of no consequences may be the lure, in reality, Snapchats can be screencapped, saved, and stored. The app makers themselves have admitted that there's even an outward app that does the job for the user—and that's the number one reason you need to have the sexting talk with your kid, like, yesterday.
Burn Note
What it is: A messaging app that's similar in style to Snapchat, but text-only.
Why they love it: For the same reasons they love Snapchat: their messages emerge one word at a time and then vanish after the person on the other end reads them.
Why you should talk about it: The app's creators have put a lot of effort into making sure these messages truly do disappear—which presents a different risk: the capability to hooligan (or be bullied) and leave no trace.
Yik Yak
What it is: Users have the capability to text or send photos. Location determines who can see them and all messages are anonymous.
Why they love it: The anonymity and capability to say whatever you want appeals to kids who want to vent about something (or someone) to a group they feel represents them.
Why you should talk about it: Yik Yak has a bit of a bad rep for being a place where a fair amount of online bullying goes down. The app's users have even gone so far as to use the platform to menace others—and that's where the anonymity finishes. Make a threat? Yik Yak will report you to the authorities. Make sure your kids know that like free speech, anonymity has thresholds.
Whisper
What it is: An anonymous secret-sharing app designed as a platform for confessions that range from funny to outright disturbing.
Why they love it: Showcase us a kid that isn't intrigued by a secret.
Why you should talk about it: Whisper is aimed at older kids and adults but that doesn't mean they're the only ones on it. If you're hoping to limit your kid's online reading to PG material, it might be best to ban Whisper until they're older.
What it is: Line is (or is at least attempting to be) everything. Users can make free movie calls, text, talk as a group, and play games.
Why they love it: Emojis, avatars, stickers, and the hidden talk feature that mimics what Snapchat does.
Why you should talk about it: Three words: In. App. Purchases. Something you certainly want to discuss if your kid's iTunes or Android Store account is linked to your credit card.
ooVoo
What it is: No, this is not a Drake-inspired talk app where fans discuss October's Very Own. It's a group talk app that also provides free messaging, movie, and voice calls.
Why they love it: The free movie talks are what kids seem to be into—working on a class project? Kids can collaborate even when they're not in the office, err, classroom.
Why you should talk about it: While ooVoo undoubtedly has the potential to be a homework helper, it could also become a distraction. Make sure kids know that schoolwork is the priority, talking with friends can wait until later. The good thing about ooVoo is that it only permits talks from people you've approved.
What it is: WhatsApp arrived on the messaging app scene early and now has over one billion users. It's wielded by Facebook and permits you to send text, audio, movie, photo, and emoji-laden missives for free using wifi.
Why they love it: For kids with no text plan, this is a free way to talk with friends.
Why you should talk about it: The broad use of WhatsApp (by kids, teenagers, and adults alike) makes it pretty safe. If you're in your child's address book, you'll automatically be added to their WhatsApp contacts. Then again, so will everyone else in their address book. Make sure you're okay with that.
9 talk apps your kids are using that you should know about: The Loop
Без кейворда
Use this clever Mason jar trick to pack your next snack
How do you occupy a fussy toddler?
Your ultimate celebrity hot spot guide for TIFF 2017
The latest must-have chunks for any student’s bedroom
Savoury vegetarian pasta bake
Will and Kate are expecting baby number three
- NEWS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LIFE
- STYLE
- HEALTH
- Movie
- MORE TO EXPLORE
nine talk apps your kids are using that you should know about
Do you know who your child is DM'ing? Do you know what DM'ing is? Whatever your level of tech savvy happens to be, if you have kids, you need to be up on the apps they're using to talk to their peers as part of your strategy to keep them safe online. Don't panic—there's nothing scary about the apps themselves. It's more about being informed and avoiding this:
Here are nine apps you should know about:
What it is: Primarily a photo sharing app that lets users post pictures for their followers/friends to see and like, Instagram also comes tooled with a little-used direct messaging feature.
Why they love it: The app is pretty popular across demographics, but kids might like the direct messaging feature specifically because it's one place you most likely didn't think to check. (Like, do you even check your own Instagram DMs?)
Why you should talk about it: Kids DM using the darndest things. While their Insta accounts may seem like a collection of selfies and pics of the family cat, talking to them about the types of photos they might be privately sharing through DMs and letting them know that those photos won't necessarily remain private is key.
What it is: A messaging app with photo and movie capabilities that doesn't require users to provide their real names.
Why they love it: Kik has all kinds of adorable extras like e-cards, special emojis, and mini games.
Why you should talk about it: The app is strenuous on advertising but it's not always clear who's an ad-bot and who's a real person. There is a block function however, and kids should be encouraged to use it liberally and only talk with people they know.
Snapchat
What it is: With two billion photos and movies sent using Snapchat every day, we're not sure how anything else is getting done. “Snaps” are visual messages that kids can alter with text, filters, drawings, and effects. The big seller: the messages vanish one to ten seconds after they're seen.
Why they love it: Snapchat gives the illusion of zero-consequence photo and movie sharing, making it joy to send ditzy or embarrassing photos kids may otherwise be too self-conscious to share.
Why you should talk about it: While the appearance of no consequences may be the lure, in reality, Snapchats can be screencapped, saved, and stored. The app makers themselves have admitted that there's even an outward app that does the job for the user—and that's the number one reason you need to have the sexting talk with your kid, like, yesterday.
Burn Note
What it is: A messaging app that's similar in style to Snapchat, but text-only.
Why they love it: For the same reasons they love Snapchat: their messages show up one word at a time and then vanish after the person on the other end reads them.
Why you should talk about it: The app's creators have put a lot of effort into making sure these messages indeed do disappear—which presents a different risk: the capability to hellion (or be bullied) and leave no trace.
Yik Yak
What it is: Users have the capability to text or send photos. Location determines who can see them and all messages are anonymous.
Why they love it: The anonymity and capability to say whatever you want appeals to kids who want to vent about something (or someone) to a group they feel represents them.
Why you should talk about it: Yik Yak has a bit of a bad rep for being a place where a fair amount of online bullying goes down. The app's users have even gone so far as to use the platform to menace others—and that's where the anonymity completes. Make a threat? Yik Yak will report you to the authorities. Make sure your kids know that like free speech, anonymity has thresholds.
Whisper
What it is: An anonymous secret-sharing app designed as a platform for confessions that range from funny to outright disturbing.
Why they love it: Showcase us a kid that isn't intrigued by a secret.
Why you should talk about it: Whisper is aimed at older kids and adults but that doesn't mean they're the only ones on it. If you're hoping to limit your kid's online reading to PG material, it might be best to ban Whisper until they're older.
What it is: Line is (or is at least attempting to be) everything. Users can make free movie calls, text, talk as a group, and play games.
Why they love it: Emojis, avatars, stickers, and the hidden talk feature that mimics what Snapchat does.
Why you should talk about it: Three words: In. App. Purchases. Something you certainly want to discuss if your kid's iTunes or Android Store account is linked to your credit card.
ooVoo
What it is: No, this is not a Drake-inspired talk app where fans discuss October's Very Own. It's a group talk app that also provides free messaging, movie, and voice calls.
Why they love it: The free movie talks are what kids seem to be into—working on a class project? Kids can collaborate even when they're not in the office, err, classroom.
Why you should talk about it: While ooVoo certainly has the potential to be a homework helper, it could also become a distraction. Make sure kids know that schoolwork is the priority, talking with friends can wait until later. The superb thing about ooVoo is that it only permits talks from people you've approved.
What it is: WhatsApp arrived on the messaging app scene early and now has over one billion users. It's wielded by Facebook and permits you to send text, audio, movie, photo, and emoji-laden missives for free using wifi.
Why they love it: For kids with no text plan, this is a free way to talk with friends.
Why you should talk about it: The broad use of WhatsApp (by kids, teenagers, and adults alike) makes it pretty safe. If you're in your child's address book, you'll automatically be added to their WhatsApp contacts. Then again, so will everyone else in their address book. Make sure you're okay with that.
9 talk apps your kids are using that you should know about: The Loop
Без кейворда
Use this clever Mason jar trick to pack your next snack
How do you occupy a fussy toddler?
Your ultimate celebrity hot spot guide for TIFF 2017
The latest must-have chunks for any student’s bedroom
Savoury vegetarian pasta bake
Will and Kate are expecting baby number three
- NEWS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LIFE
- STYLE
- HEALTH
- Movie
- MORE TO EXPLORE
nine talk apps your kids are using that you should know about
Do you know who your child is DM'ing? Do you know what DM'ing is? Whatever your level of tech savvy happens to be, if you have kids, you need to be up on the apps they're using to talk to their peers as part of your strategy to keep them safe online. Don't panic—there's nothing scary about the apps themselves. It's more about being informed and avoiding this:
Here are nine apps you should know about:
What it is: Primarily a photo sharing app that lets users post pictures for their followers/friends to see and like, Instagram also comes tooled with a little-used direct messaging feature.
Why they love it: The app is pretty popular across demographics, but kids might like the direct messaging feature specifically because it's one place you most likely didn't think to check. (Like, do you even check your own Instagram DMs?)
Why you should talk about it: Kids DM using the darndest things. While their Insta accounts may seem like a collection of selfies and pics of the family cat, talking to them about the types of photos they might be privately sharing through DMs and letting them know that those photos won't necessarily remain private is key.
What it is: A messaging app with photo and movie capabilities that doesn't require users to provide their real names.
Why they love it: Kik has all kinds of lovely extras like e-cards, special emojis, and mini games.
Why you should talk about it: The app is intense on advertising but it's not always clear who's an ad-bot and who's a real person. There is a block function tho’, and kids should be encouraged to use it liberally and only talk with people they know.
Snapchat
What it is: With two billion photos and movies sent using Snapchat every day, we're not sure how anything else is getting done. “Snaps” are visual messages that kids can alter with text, filters, drawings, and effects. The big seller: the messages vanish one to ten seconds after they're seen.
Why they love it: Snapchat gives the illusion of zero-consequence photo and movie sharing, making it joy to send foolish or embarrassing photos kids may otherwise be too self-conscious to share.
Why you should talk about it: While the appearance of no consequences may be the lure, in reality, Snapchats can be screencapped, saved, and stored. The app makers themselves have admitted that there's even an outer app that does the job for the user—and that's the number one reason you need to have the sexting talk with your kid, like, yesterday.
Burn Note
What it is: A messaging app that's similar in style to Snapchat, but text-only.
Why they love it: For the same reasons they love Snapchat: their messages emerge one word at a time and then vanish after the person on the other end reads them.
Why you should talk about it: The app's creators have put a lot of effort into making sure these messages indeed do disappear—which presents a different risk: the capability to hooligan (or be bullied) and leave no trace.
Yik Yak
What it is: Users have the capability to text or send photos. Location determines who can see them and all messages are anonymous.
Why they love it: The anonymity and capability to say whatever you want appeals to kids who want to vent about something (or someone) to a group they feel represents them.
Why you should talk about it: Yik Yak has a bit of a bad rep for being a place where a fair amount of online bullying goes down. The app's users have even gone so far as to use the platform to menace others—and that's where the anonymity completes. Make a threat? Yik Yak will report you to the authorities. Make sure your kids know that like free speech, anonymity has thresholds.
Whisper
What it is: An anonymous secret-sharing app designed as a platform for confessions that range from funny to outright disturbing.
Why they love it: Demonstrate us a kid that isn't intrigued by a secret.
Why you should talk about it: Whisper is aimed at older kids and adults but that doesn't mean they're the only ones on it. If you're hoping to limit your kid's online reading to PG material, it might be best to ban Whisper until they're older.
What it is: Line is (or is at least attempting to be) everything. Users can make free movie calls, text, talk as a group, and play games.
Why they love it: Emojis, avatars, stickers, and the hidden talk feature that mimics what Snapchat does.
Why you should talk about it: Three words: In. App. Purchases. Something you undoubtedly want to discuss if your kid's iTunes or Android Store account is linked to your credit card.
ooVoo
What it is: No, this is not a Drake-inspired talk app where fans discuss October's Very Own. It's a group talk app that also provides free messaging, movie, and voice calls.
Why they love it: The free movie talks are what kids seem to be into—working on a class project? Kids can collaborate even when they're not in the office, err, classroom.
Why you should talk about it: While ooVoo certainly has the potential to be a homework helper, it could also become a distraction. Make sure kids know that schoolwork is the priority, talking with friends can wait until later. The excellent thing about ooVoo is that it only permits talks from people you've approved.
What it is: WhatsApp arrived on the messaging app scene early and now has over one billion users. It's possessed by Facebook and permits you to send text, audio, movie, photo, and emoji-laden missives for free using wifi.
Why they love it: For kids with no text plan, this is a free way to talk with friends.
Why you should talk about it: The broad use of WhatsApp (by kids, teenagers, and adults alike) makes it pretty safe. If you're in your child's address book, you'll automatically be added to their WhatsApp contacts. Then again, so will everyone else in their address book. Make sure you're okay with that.
9 talk apps your kids are using that you should know about: The Loop
Без кейворда
Use this clever Mason jar trick to pack your next snack
How do you occupy a fussy toddler?
Your ultimate celebrity hot spot guide for TIFF 2017
The latest must-have lumps for any student’s bedroom
Savoury vegetarian pasta bake
Will and Kate are expecting baby number three
- NEWS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LIFE
- STYLE
- HEALTH
- Movie
- MORE TO EXPLORE
nine talk apps your kids are using that you should know about
Do you know who your child is DM'ing? Do you know what DM'ing is? Whatever your level of tech savvy happens to be, if you have kids, you need to be up on the apps they're using to talk to their peers as part of your strategy to keep them safe online. Don't panic—there's nothing scary about the apps themselves. It's more about being informed and avoiding this:
Here are nine apps you should know about:
What it is: Primarily a photo sharing app that lets users post pictures for their followers/friends to see and like, Instagram also comes tooled with a little-used direct messaging feature.
Why they love it: The app is pretty popular across demographics, but kids might like the direct messaging feature specifically because it's one place you very likely didn't think to check. (Like, do you even check your own Instagram DMs?)
Why you should talk about it: Kids DM using the darndest things. While their Insta accounts may seem like a collection of selfies and pics of the family cat, talking to them about the types of photos they might be privately sharing through DMs and letting them know that those photos won't necessarily remain private is key.
What it is: A messaging app with photo and movie capabilities that doesn't require users to provide their real names.
Why they love it: Kik has all kinds of lovely extras like e-cards, special emojis, and mini games.
Why you should talk about it: The app is powerful on advertising but it's not always clear who's an ad-bot and who's a real person. There is a block function tho’, and kids should be encouraged to use it liberally and only talk with people they know.
Snapchat
What it is: With two billion photos and movies sent using Snapchat every day, we're not sure how anything else is getting done. “Snaps” are visual messages that kids can alter with text, filters, drawings, and effects. The big seller: the messages vanish one to ten seconds after they're seen.
Why they love it: Snapchat gives the illusion of zero-consequence photo and movie sharing, making it joy to send bimbo or embarrassing photos kids may otherwise be too self-conscious to share.
Why you should talk about it: While the appearance of no consequences may be the lure, in reality, Snapchats can be screencapped, saved, and stored. The app makers themselves have admitted that there's even an outward app that does the job for the user—and that's the number one reason you need to have the sexting talk with your kid, like, yesterday.
Burn Note
What it is: A messaging app that's similar in style to Snapchat, but text-only.
Why they love it: For the same reasons they love Snapchat: their messages show up one word at a time and then vanish after the person on the other end reads them.
Why you should talk about it: The app's creators have put a lot of effort into making sure these messages truly do disappear—which presents a different risk: the capability to hooligan (or be bullied) and leave no trace.
Yik Yak
What it is: Users have the capability to text or send photos. Location determines who can see them and all messages are anonymous.
Why they love it: The anonymity and capability to say whatever you want appeals to kids who want to vent about something (or someone) to a group they feel represents them.
Why you should talk about it: Yik Yak has a bit of a bad rep for being a place where a fair amount of online bullying goes down. The app's users have even gone so far as to use the platform to menace others—and that's where the anonymity completes. Make a threat? Yik Yak will report you to the authorities. Make sure your kids know that like free speech, anonymity has thresholds.
Whisper
What it is: An anonymous secret-sharing app designed as a platform for confessions that range from funny to outright disturbing.
Why they love it: Display us a kid that isn't intrigued by a secret.
Why you should talk about it: Whisper is aimed at older kids and adults but that doesn't mean they're the only ones on it. If you're hoping to limit your kid's online reading to PG material, it might be best to ban Whisper until they're older.
What it is: Line is (or is at least attempting to be) everything. Users can make free movie calls, text, talk as a group, and play games.
Why they love it: Emojis, avatars, stickers, and the hidden talk feature that mimics what Snapchat does.
Why you should talk about it: Three words: In. App. Purchases. Something you certainly want to discuss if your kid's iTunes or Android Store account is linked to your credit card.
ooVoo
What it is: No, this is not a Drake-inspired talk app where fans discuss October's Very Own. It's a group talk app that also provides free messaging, movie, and voice calls.
Why they love it: The free movie talks are what kids seem to be into—working on a class project? Kids can collaborate even when they're not in the office, err, classroom.
Why you should talk about it: While ooVoo certainly has the potential to be a homework helper, it could also become a distraction. Make sure kids know that schoolwork is the priority, talking with friends can wait until later. The superb thing about ooVoo is that it only permits talks from people you've approved.
What it is: WhatsApp arrived on the messaging app scene early and now has over one billion users. It's possessed by Facebook and permits you to send text, audio, movie, photo, and emoji-laden missives for free using wifi.
Why they love it: For kids with no text plan, this is a free way to talk with friends.
Why you should talk about it: The broad use of WhatsApp (by kids, teenagers, and adults alike) makes it pretty safe. If you're in your child's address book, you'll automatically be added to their WhatsApp contacts. Then again, so will everyone else in their address book. Make sure you're okay with that.
9 talk apps your kids are using that you should know about: The Loop
Без кейворда
Use this clever Mason jar trick to pack your next snack
How do you occupy a fussy toddler?
Your ultimate celebrity hot spot guide for TIFF 2017
The latest must-have lumps for any student’s bedroom
Savoury vegetarian pasta bake
Will and Kate are expecting baby number three
- NEWS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LIFE
- STYLE
- HEALTH
- Movie
- MORE TO EXPLORE
nine talk apps your kids are using that you should know about
Do you know who your child is DM'ing? Do you know what DM'ing is? Whatever your level of tech savvy happens to be, if you have kids, you need to be up on the apps they're using to talk to their peers as part of your strategy to keep them safe online. Don't panic—there's nothing scary about the apps themselves. It's more about being informed and avoiding this:
Here are nine apps you should know about:
What it is: Primarily a photo sharing app that lets users post pictures for their followers/friends to see and like, Instagram also comes tooled with a little-used direct messaging feature.
Why they love it: The app is pretty popular across demographics, but kids might like the direct messaging feature specifically because it's one place you very likely didn't think to check. (Like, do you even check your own Instagram DMs?)
Why you should talk about it: Kids DM using the darndest things. While their Insta accounts may seem like a collection of selfies and pics of the family cat, talking to them about the types of photos they might be privately sharing through DMs and letting them know that those photos won't necessarily remain private is key.
What it is: A messaging app with photo and movie capabilities that doesn't require users to provide their real names.
Why they love it: Kik has all kinds of lovely extras like e-cards, special emojis, and mini games.
Why you should talk about it: The app is mighty on advertising but it's not always clear who's an ad-bot and who's a real person. There is a block function tho’, and kids should be encouraged to use it liberally and only talk with people they know.
Snapchat
What it is: With two billion photos and movies sent using Snapchat every day, we're not sure how anything else is getting done. “Snaps” are visual messages that kids can alter with text, filters, drawings, and effects. The big seller: the messages vanish one to ten seconds after they're seen.
Why they love it: Snapchat gives the illusion of zero-consequence photo and movie sharing, making it joy to send foolish or embarrassing photos kids may otherwise be too self-conscious to share.
Why you should talk about it: While the appearance of no consequences may be the lure, in reality, Snapchats can be screencapped, saved, and stored. The app makers themselves have admitted that there's even an outward app that does the job for the user—and that's the number one reason you need to have the sexting talk with your kid, like, yesterday.
Burn Note
What it is: A messaging app that's similar in style to Snapchat, but text-only.
Why they love it: For the same reasons they love Snapchat: their messages emerge one word at a time and then vanish after the person on the other end reads them.
Why you should talk about it: The app's creators have put a lot of effort into making sure these messages truly do disappear—which presents a different risk: the capability to hellion (or be bullied) and leave no trace.
Yik Yak
What it is: Users have the capability to text or send photos. Location determines who can see them and all messages are anonymous.
Why they love it: The anonymity and capability to say whatever you want appeals to kids who want to vent about something (or someone) to a group they feel represents them.
Why you should talk about it: Yik Yak has a bit of a bad rep for being a place where a fair amount of online bullying goes down. The app's users have even gone so far as to use the platform to menace others—and that's where the anonymity completes. Make a threat? Yik Yak will report you to the authorities. Make sure your kids know that like free speech, anonymity has thresholds.
Whisper
What it is: An anonymous secret-sharing app designed as a platform for confessions that range from funny to outright disturbing.
Why they love it: Showcase us a kid that isn't intrigued by a secret.
Why you should talk about it: Whisper is aimed at older kids and adults but that doesn't mean they're the only ones on it. If you're hoping to limit your kid's online reading to PG material, it might be best to ban Whisper until they're older.
What it is: Line is (or is at least attempting to be) everything. Users can make free movie calls, text, talk as a group, and play games.
Why they love it: Emojis, avatars, stickers, and the hidden talk feature that mimics what Snapchat does.
Why you should talk about it: Three words: In. App. Purchases. Something you certainly want to discuss if your kid's iTunes or Android Store account is linked to your credit card.
ooVoo
What it is: No, this is not a Drake-inspired talk app where fans discuss October's Very Own. It's a group talk app that also provides free messaging, movie, and voice calls.
Why they love it: The free movie talks are what kids seem to be into—working on a class project? Kids can collaborate even when they're not in the office, err, classroom.
Why you should talk about it: While ooVoo certainly has the potential to be a homework helper, it could also become a distraction. Make sure kids know that schoolwork is the priority, talking with friends can wait until later. The fine thing about ooVoo is that it only permits talks from people you've approved.
What it is: WhatsApp arrived on the messaging app scene early and now has over one billion users. It's possessed by Facebook and permits you to send text, audio, movie, photo, and emoji-laden missives for free using wifi.
Why they love it: For kids with no text plan, this is a free way to talk with friends.
Why you should talk about it: The broad use of WhatsApp (by kids, teenagers, and adults alike) makes it pretty safe. If you're in your child's address book, you'll automatically be added to their WhatsApp contacts. Then again, so will everyone else in their address book. Make sure you're okay with that.
9 talk apps your kids are using that you should know about: The Loop
Без кейворда
Use this clever Mason jar trick to pack your next snack
How do you occupy a fussy toddler?
Your ultimate celebrity hot spot guide for TIFF 2017
The latest must-have chunks for any student’s bedroom
Savoury vegetarian pasta bake
Will and Kate are expecting baby number three
- NEWS
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LIFE
- STYLE
- HEALTH
- Movie
- MORE TO EXPLORE
nine talk apps your kids are using that you should know about
Do you know who your child is DM'ing? Do you know what DM'ing is? Whatever your level of tech savvy happens to be, if you have kids, you need to be up on the apps they're using to talk to their peers as part of your strategy to keep them safe online. Don't panic—there's nothing scary about the apps themselves. It's more about being informed and avoiding this:
Here are nine apps you should know about:
What it is: Primarily a photo sharing app that lets users post pictures for their followers/friends to see and like, Instagram also comes tooled with a little-used direct messaging feature.
Why they love it: The app is pretty popular across demographics, but kids might like the direct messaging feature specifically because it's one place you most likely didn't think to check. (Like, do you even check your own Instagram DMs?)
Why you should talk about it: Kids DM using the darndest things. While their Insta accounts may seem like a collection of selfies and pics of the family cat, talking to them about the types of photos they might be privately sharing through DMs and letting them know that those photos won't necessarily remain private is key.
What it is: A messaging app with photo and movie capabilities that doesn't require users to provide their real names.
Why they love it: Kik has all kinds of nice extras like e-cards, special emojis, and mini games.
Why you should talk about it: The app is mighty on advertising but it's not always clear who's an ad-bot and who's a real person. There is a block function tho’, and kids should be encouraged to use it liberally and only talk with people they know.
Snapchat
What it is: With two billion photos and movies sent using Snapchat every day, we're not sure how anything else is getting done. “Snaps” are visual messages that kids can alter with text, filters, drawings, and effects. The big seller: the messages vanish one to ten seconds after they're seen.
Why they love it: Snapchat gives the illusion of zero-consequence photo and movie sharing, making it joy to send ditzy or embarrassing photos kids may otherwise be too self-conscious to share.
Why you should talk about it: While the appearance of no consequences may be the lure, in reality, Snapchats can be screencapped, saved, and stored. The app makers themselves have admitted that there's even an outer app that does the job for the user—and that's the number one reason you need to have the sexting talk with your kid, like, yesterday.
Burn Note
What it is: A messaging app that's similar in style to Snapchat, but text-only.
Why they love it: For the same reasons they love Snapchat: their messages show up one word at a time and then vanish after the person on the other end reads them.
Why you should talk about it: The app's creators have put a lot of effort into making sure these messages truly do disappear—which presents a different risk: the capability to hooligan (or be bullied) and leave no trace.
Yik Yak
What it is: Users have the capability to text or send photos. Location determines who can see them and all messages are anonymous.
Why they love it: The anonymity and capability to say whatever you want appeals to kids who want to vent about something (or someone) to a group they feel represents them.
Why you should talk about it: Yik Yak has a bit of a bad rep for being a place where a fair amount of online bullying goes down. The app's users have even gone so far as to use the platform to menace others—and that's where the anonymity finishes. Make a threat? Yik Yak will report you to the authorities. Make sure your kids know that like free speech, anonymity has boundaries.
Whisper
What it is: An anonymous secret-sharing app designed as a platform for confessions that range from funny to outright disturbing.
Why they love it: Display us a kid that isn't intrigued by a secret.
Why you should talk about it: Whisper is aimed at older kids and adults but that doesn't mean they're the only ones on it. If you're hoping to limit your kid's online reading to PG material, it might be best to ban Whisper until they're older.
What it is: Line is (or is at least attempting to be) everything. Users can make free movie calls, text, talk as a group, and play games.
Why they love it: Emojis, avatars, stickers, and the hidden talk feature that mimics what Snapchat does.
Why you should talk about it: Three words: In. App. Purchases. Something you undoubtedly want to discuss if your kid's iTunes or Android Store account is linked to your credit card.
ooVoo
What it is: No, this is not a Drake-inspired talk app where fans discuss October's Very Own. It's a group talk app that also provides free messaging, movie, and voice calls.
Why they love it: The free movie talks are what kids seem to be into—working on a class project? Kids can collaborate even when they're not in the office, err, classroom.
Why you should talk about it: While ooVoo undoubtedly has the potential to be a homework helper, it could also become a distraction. Make sure kids know that schoolwork is the priority, talking with friends can wait until later. The superb thing about ooVoo is that it only permits talks from people you've approved.
What it is: WhatsApp arrived on the messaging app scene early and now has over one billion users. It's possessed by Facebook and permits you to send text, audio, movie, photo, and emoji-laden missives for free using wifi.
Why they love it: For kids with no text plan, this is a free way to talk with friends.
Why you should talk about it: The broad use of WhatsApp (by kids, teenagers, and adults alike) makes it pretty safe. If you're in your child's address book, you'll automatically be added to their WhatsApp contacts. Then again, so will everyone else in their address book. Make sure you're okay with that.