(The Irish Sun) – POLICE have urged parents to check their children’s phones for 15 apps frequented by paedos and cyberbullies.
The list shared on social media includes dangerous dating apps and chat tools used to secretly share raunchy photos and videos online.
Officers advised parents to have a conversation with their kid’s about staying safe online.
Below are just a handful of social media apps that have become increasingly popular with children and young people.
“While some of these are completely innocent and we hope your children never experience bullying, harassment or exploitation, time and time again we see people use these apps to target, abuse and manipulate young people – be that sexual, criminal or online bullying.”
Included in the list was “MeetMe”, a dating app that allows users to connect with others based on their geographical location. As the app’s name suggests, users are encouraged to meet each other in person.
Also featured on the list was live-streaming video app “Live.Me”, which uses GPS signals to share videos so users can find out a broadcaster’s exact location.
Some of the world’s most popular chat apps were also picked out by officers as potentially dangerous. WhatsApp, Snapchat and TikTok can all be used to send messages, photos and videos to anyone.
Here’s the full list
1. Hot or Not
Encourages users to rate your profile, check out people in their area and chat with strangers. The goal of this app is to hook up.
2. Calculator%
Calculator% is only one of several secret apps used to hide photos, videos, files and browser history.
3. Ask.FM
Ask.FM is known for cyber bullying. The app encourages users to allow anonymous people to ask them questions.
4. Whisper
Whisper is an anonymous social network that promotes sharing secrets with strangers. It also reveals a users location so people can meet up.
5. Holla
Holla is a self-proclaimed ‘addicting’ video chat app that allows users to meet people all over the world in just seconds. Reviewers say they have been confronted with racial slurs, explicit content and more.
6. Live.Me
Live.Me is a live streaming video app that uses geolocation to share videos so that users can find out a broadcaster’s exact location. Users can earn ‘coins’ as a way to ‘pay’ minors for photos.
7. Kik
Kik allows anyone to contact and direct message your child. Kids can bypass traditional text messaging features, Kik gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
8. Snapchat
Snapchat is one of the most popular apps in recent years. While the app promises users can take a photo or video and it will disappear, new features including ‘stories’ allow users to view content for up to 24 hours.
9. Bumble
Bumble is similar to the popular dating app ‘tinder.’ However, it requires women to make the first contact. Kids have been known to use Bumble to create fake accounts and falsify their age.
10. Badoo
Badoo is a dating and social networking app where users can chat, share photos and videos and connect based on location. While the app is intended for adults only, teens are known to create profiles.
11. TikTok
TikTok is a new mobile device app that is popular with kids and used for creating and sharing short videos. With very limited privacy controls, users are vulnerable to bullying and explicit content.
12. WhatsApp
Whatsapp is a popular messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, make calls and video chats worldwide. Whatsapp uses an internet connection on smart phones and computers.
13. Skout
Skout is a location based dating app and wesbite. While users under 17-years-old are unable to share private photos, kids can easily create an account using a different age.
14. Grindr
Grindr is a dating app geared towards gay, bisexual and transgender people. The app gives users options to chat, share photos and meet up based on a smart phone’s GPS location.
15. Meetme
Meetme is a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity. As the app’s name suggests, users are encouraged to meet each other in person.
Experts have also warned over dodgy Android virus detectors that don’t work.
Are there any other apps that could fall into this category. Share your comments.
