Anonymous Apps

These apps are dangerous because children are allowed to provide unsolicited, unmoderated, and anonymous feedback. This allows users to make comments that they would not normally face-to-face.

• Kiwi: This is an app and website that allows people to ask questions of both friends and strangers. Posts can be tagged with your location so all the kids of one school can be on the app. The combination of proximity and anonymity can be dangerous.

• Sarahah: This Arabic word translates roughly to “honesty.” It lets you to send anonymous comments to each other. The lack of accountability allows others to make cruel comments.

• TBH:  This acronym stands for “to be honest.” It lets kids answer mostly innocent questions. But, with the poor track record, this app is debatable.

Group Video Chatting

Remember party lines. Group video chatting allows kids to talk with a bunch of their friends at the same time. But, there’s the caveat. There is no screening and nothing to prevent sharing of information.

• Monkey: This app allows teens to randomly connect with other Snapchat users around the world for a 10-second video chat. There has been some reports of verbal abuse and inappropriate requests.

• Airtime: Airtime allows users watch videos and listen to music with each other. It also allows live-streaming. There are no filters with Airtime, so coming across age-inappropriate content can be a problem. Also, private “rooms” can be created means that kids could have one-on-one conversations with strangers.

• Houseparty: Houseparty lets you have several “parties” going at once. Up to 8 people can be in a “room” at a time. Again, this app makes it easy for kids to have private conversations with strangers.