Social Media Apps to Watch Out For

TikTok: short form video app that allows users to create and share short videos
Hoop: mobile app that connects with Snapchat to allow users to find new friends
Instagram: photo and video sharing platform
Snapchat: photo and video sharing app that allows photos to show for a brief period
Byte: video sharing app similar to Vine or TikTok
YOLO: anonymous question and answer app
Yubo: location based live streaming app
WhatsApp: cross-platform messaging; allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other media
Chatous: instant messaging app
GroupMe: private chat room for small groups

ASKfm: app that allows users ask questions to any person with the choice of being anonymous or as an identified user
Whisper: it’s a form of ‘anonymous social media’, allowing users to post and share photo and video messages anonymously
Blendr: video chat room where you are encouraged to “chat, flirt, and meet” with other users in your immediate area
TamTam: chat and video messenger app
Wink: mobile app that allows users to meet new friends on Snapchat via swiping
Twitch: video live streaming service
Discord: voice, video, and text chat app for teens age 13 and up
Kik: instant messenger app
Viber: messenger app with video and voice calls
Telegram: cloud-based instant messenging and voice-call app
Likee: video creation and sharing platform

How to Keep kids safe on social media

Monitor use of the internet; consider keeping computer or electronics in the same common room.
Talk to kids about why it is important not to disclose personal information online.
Check your child’s profile and what they post.
Read and follow safety tips provided by these apps or websites.
Report inappropriate activity to the website or law enforcement immediately.
Explain to your children that once images are posted online, they can never be taken back.
Only allow kids to post photos or personal identifying information on websites with your knowledge and consent.
Instruct kids to use privacy settings and to restrict access to profiles.
Remind kids to only add people they know in real life to contact lists.
Encourage kids to choose appropriate screen names and nicknames.
Talk to your kids about creating strong passwords.
Visit social networking websites with your kids and exchange ideas about acceptable versus potentially risky websites.
Make it a rule that your kids can never give out personal information or meet anyone in person without your prior consent and knowledge.
Encourage kids to consider whether a message is harmful, dangerous, or rude before posting or sending it online.
Teach kids not to respond to any rude or harassing remarks or messages that make them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused (have them show you the messages instead)
Educate yourself on the websites, apps, and software that your child uses.