Many teens and pre-teens are using popular apps that were made for adults — and they’re not safe. Let us look at a few common apps that might be downloaded to devices, and how to safeguard from unsafe material online. Some considerations:

1. Kids are curious. Nothing wrong with this, normal and natural.
2. Predators are going to prey on unsuspecting victims.
3. Have a very specific internet safety plan established in your home. Consider all devices be centralized so you can see which devices are connected to your network. Also consider a plan for managing and safeguarding data plans when friends or family are over (and there is less structure). Basically, just because you have wifi blocked does not mean that data cannot be accessed.
4. Teach your kids that curiosity is normal and good, but there are certain things that lead to unintended consequences. Help them understand the power of “no” with a friend.
5. Here a few apps that have a considerable amount of unsafe and at times explicit material : YouTube, X, Kik, Bumble (older teens sometimes use this), Wizz, Yubo, Telegram, Instagram, Snapchat
6. Parenting is offense and defense. Teach values, strengthen convictions, point to truth. But have safeguards in place that limit damage as well.