Five Messaging Apps that Are Unsafe for Pre-teens

Snapchat

Snapchat’s already fairly notorious for how it automatically deletes messages after a set time, at least in theory. But problems go well beyond the app’s mechanics. Advertisers can easily monitor conversations, and indeed as Snapchat struggles to prove itself financially, it’ll likely offer up more data and give advertisers more opportunity to snoop on kids.

Kik

Kik has a plan involving artificial intelligence that will likely give parents pause. Simply put, the company is developing marketing robots or automated chat systems that contact users directly and attempt to get them to click on a link, buy something, or otherwise market directly to consumers. While, at the moment, these chatbots are clearly identified and usually will only show up on the app if contacted, it’s not difficult to see automated chatbots being sent out to try and lure kids to marketing campaigns. There’s nothing in place to stop individuals from doing this. So it’s one to be wary of.

Line

Line is a fairly new app, at least to Americans; it’s largely been popular in Japan and only recently has begun drawing attention in the US. The main point of concern is “Hidden Chats,” which, unlike Snapchat, will completely erase a Line chat from both devices used in the chats and off company servers. That makes recovering those records impossible, and it makes figuring out who kids are talking to, tricky.

It’s not just where, but how, they’re texting you should be concerned about.

WhatsApp

Unlike most messaging apps, the real problem with WhatsApp is the spreading of fake news. It’s currently prevalent in India, but it’s also becoming a real problem across the platform, and WhatsApp seems powerless to stop it.

Facebook Messenger

Amid all the concerns about privacy and marketing, it’s easy to forget there are problems on Facebook Messenger too. Facebook collects data on its networks to improve its algorithm, and that means kids will be marketed to, and potentially spied on.

The good news is that dealing with this is easy. Set rules for your kids, and talk to them about the concerns they should have about apps and the people they meet on the internet. And make a point of setting limits on phone usage and screen time. After all, if kids are talking with friends, they should do it in the real world. Need help getting your pre-teens off screens? Learn more about Screen Time.