7 dangerous apps your kid is already using

Although it is not advisable for young children to have access to the Internet, there are some instances parents give their children smartphones, readily equipped with the Internet. There are applications available that have features that put can put your child in danger.

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MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - More and more children are reported as victimized by sexual predators and cyberbullies through devices, threatening their lives without actually leaving the house. Parents and guardians should be vigilant, so here are 7 of the apps you should keep away from your children, according to Crosswalk.com.

1. Poof

This application, tagged as the First Disappearing app, allows users to hide the icons of selected apps from the screen. Children can use Poof to keep certain questionable apps they are using from their parents. One simple download is all they have to do to secure app secrecy and then they may proceed to the other dangerous applications.

2. Whisper

"The best place to express yourself online" that guarantees anonymity, so anyone can talk to any stranger about things that may include their deepest secrets. However, the anonymity is compromised, due to the feature that allows strangers to message those who are near them geographically, making it easy to track them down.

3. Yik Yak

Another social media application that guarantees anonymity yet only connects the user to those near their geographical location. Cyberbullying is also reported to be rampant in the application due to many cases that schools, like those in Chicago, have already taken action to ban usage of the app.

4. Omegle

It says "talk to strangers" in their one-on-one chatrooms anonymously, with IP address made available to the stranger. Omegle also has video-enabled chatrooms where these strangers can exchange safe to harmful face-to-face conversations. In a review, the App store description was also cited: "there is nothing to stop you from revealing personal details if you choose to."

5. Vine

The Twitter mobile app allows users to make and share videos with length of 6 seconds. In a CNN report, it was said that the company is not keen on enforcing rules on pornography, which can make such videos accessible by children. There are also cases where disturbing videos showing kids fighting in school are shared on the site, with #vinefight.

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6. Snapchat

Unlike simple text messaging or sending photos, this app allows its users to share their photos but they can be set to expire from one up to ten seconds later. This appealed more unlike any other social media platforms where an embarrassing photo moment could last forever. Yet, the photos could still be screenshot and shared, although the sender will be notified. Parents, on the other hand, will have no access to what their children are sending because of the not saving any picture or messages feature.

7. Tinder

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It is a dating app not supposed to be used by children, with a 17+ rating. Although developers claim that Tinder does not match younger users with adults to "hook up," there are many fake profiles from ill-willed people posted. There have been reports of sexual harassment through the app, and nude photos shared within seconds like Snapchat.

These applications are already so popular that more cases of assaults through them are being reported. Parents should be vigilant in keeping their children safe. Talking to them about not using these applications for security concerns should be the first step --- especially since they are not made for children's use.

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