One of most commonly asked questions we get asked at Internet Safe Education is ‘what apps should parents be concerned about in relation to their children?’.
As of 2025, there are several popular apps used by children and teenagers that pose safety concerns for parents. These concerns include issues such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, privacy risks, and potential access for predators. Below is a breakdown of the apps that parents should approach with caution, along with the specific concerns associated with each one.
1. TikTok
- Concerns: Inappropriate content, sexualized trends, privacy issues, potential exposure to harmful challenges.
- Why it’s risky: The algorithm can quickly expose young users to mature content. Direct messaging and comment sections can open doors to online predators or bullying.
2. Snapchat
- Concerns: Sexting, disappearing messages, Snap Map location tracking, hidden content via “My Eyes Only.”
- Why it’s risky: Disappearing content makes it difficult for parents to monitor interactions. Snap Map can reveal a child’s real-time location unless turned off.
3. Discord
- Concerns: Unmoderated private chats, exposure to explicit content, cyberbullying, and grooming.
- Why it’s risky: Originally for gamers, but now widely used socially. Kids can join public or private servers where inappropriate conversations or images are shared.
4. Instagram (and Threads)
- Concerns: Body image issues, FOMO, adult content, DMs from strangers.
- Why it’s risky: Filters and influencer culture can affect self-esteem. While Instagram offers privacy settings, many kids leave accounts public.
5. Roblox
- Concerns: In-game chat, access to user-generated games with inappropriate content.
- Why it’s risky: Some games simulate adult themes. Chat features can expose kids to strangers unless disabled.
6. Kik
- Concerns: Frequent use by predators, no phone number required, hard to trace.
- Why it’s risky: Kik is often used anonymously, which makes it difficult for law enforcement and parents to track abusive behavior.
7. OmeTV (or similar video chat platforms similar to Omegle)
- Concerns: Anonymous video chats, high risk of exposure to sexual content or predators.
- Why it’s risky: Kids can talk to strangers globally with no registration, leading to extreme and dangerous content exposure.
8. Telegram
- Concerns: Secret chats, self-destructing messages, unregulated content in group chats.
- Why it’s risky: Telegram allows encrypted and disappearing messages. Some public channels share adult content.
9. BeReal
- Concerns: Location sharing, minimal content moderation.
- Why it’s risky: Real-time photo posting encourages impulsive sharing, sometimes revealing too much about a child’s location or routine.
10. Wink, Yubo, Hoop (Social Discovery Apps)
- Concerns: Teen Tinder-like functionality — swiping to connect with strangers.
- Why it’s risky: These apps are often used to make new friends, but can easily lead to contact with adults posing as teens.
What Parents Can Do
- Use parental controls (Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, Bark, Qustodio).
- Talk regularly with kids about their online activity — don’t just monitor, engage.
- Check app permissions and privacy settings to reduce risks.
- Encourage open dialogue: Make sure kids feel safe reporting uncomfortable online interactions.
Internet Safety Checklist for Parents (2025 Edition)
- Install parental control software (e.g., Bark, Qustodio, Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time).
- Enable screen time limits for apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord.
- Set up alerts for downloads of new apps.
- Regularly review your child’s device for new apps or hidden folders (like “My Eyes Only” on Snapchat).
- Ensure location tracking is turned off on social apps.
