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The SmartSocial.com App Zones Help Parents Identify Good and Bad Apps:
Green Zone Apps can positively impact your social media footprint (with parental guidance) and can help a student Shine Online™
Gray Zone Apps typically feature a lot of private messaging, disappearing content and group chats that are hidden from parents
Red Zone Apps allow students to talk with strangers, often encourage users to act anonymous, and they promote bullying, anxiety and depression
Dangerous Social Media Challenges are viral social media challenges, that encourage teens to do dangerous acts for likes, views, attention, and subscribers
The SmartSocial.com team scours the internet to find the good and bad teen apps you need to know about.
Our Parent App Guides are based on real questions we get from parents and educators all over the world. Instead of keeping our research private, we share our Parent App Guides with our audience. Learn how our Parent App Guide research is conducted. Learn more about hosting a Positive Online Safety Presentation at your school or organization.
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GREEN ZONE: Here are the few apps SmartSocial.com considers to be a starting place for students:
The internet can be a dangerous place for tweens and teens. This is why parents MUST be active on the same apps their students are using. We feel the apps in our green zone are the “lesser of three evils” as they can be used to help a student (14+ years of age) Shine Online™ to impress colleges and future employers. However, this does NOT mean these apps are safe. Adult content is on nearly EVERY app. When used wisely with our social media formula, these apps will better help your students adjust their Google results to create a portfolio of positive online accomplishments. If your students want to have a profile on these networks/apps, Josh Ochs and the Smart Social team suggest that you please consider having a dialog with your students first. Understand these green zone networks are a safer place to start on social media. Never trust an app just because it looks safe. Parents are the only reliable digital safety app. It's important to get to know each app that your kids are on. At the bottom of this page, we list bad apps (red zone) that we suggest you not allow your kids to access/have/use.
Smart Social App (Based in USA, Owned by Josh Ochs)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: 10+
The Smart Social App helps parents and educators learn the latest online safety tips so their students can someday Shine Online™. The app has new app guides and social media safety updates each week. It also contains 300+ FREE professionally created resources for parents and teachers. Download the Smart Social app for free today.
ClassDojo App (Based in USA, Owned by ClassDojo, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social ClassDojo Review
ClassDojo is a free communication app designed for teachers, parents, and students. Parents can instant message their child’s teacher. Teachers can encourage students for skills and values, such as working hard, being kind, and teamwork. Students can showcase their knowledge by adding photos and videos to their digital portfolios. The app can be used in a positive way to track student progress, get involved, learn more about your child’s school day, and teach positive online behaviors. Watch our ClassDojo video.
Facebook App (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Facebook App Review
Facebook is the Godfather of all social media apps. Many students started ditching Facebook once it became cool for older generations. However, students can still use Facebook to create a positive digital footprint. Facebook users can share to the network from their desktop, tablet, and/or mobile phone. Facebook makes money by selling ad space in and next to the Feed. Facebook has very robust privacy controls, yet we remind every student that "everything you post online could eventually be public." Networks like Facebook can quickly change their privacy settings without telling users, which could put their privacy at risk. Watch our Facebook app video.
Facebook Messenger (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Facebook Messenger Review
Facebook Messenger allows you to chat with anyone on Facebook. To initiate a conversation with users, you should add them to your Facebook friend list (otherwise the message might end up in their "filtered messages" list. We suggest parents to add their students on Facebook and to monitor who they are adding as friends. Facebook Messenger is tied to a Facebook account, which is tied to a student's real identity. Watch our Facebook Messenger video.
Instagram (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Instagram App Review
Instagram is a free photo and video sharing app. Users can take photos and videos, apply a filter, edit, and then share their content on their Feed, Stories, or Reel. Parents should know that Instagram also has a private messaging feature, called Direct Messaging or DMs, which some students use instead of texting. Instagram has also added some "disposable" features, similar to Snapchat. Profiles can be set to public or private. Instagram can potentially be great, if used in a positive manner, for showcasing a student's accomplishments. Special note: Some students have a "fake Instagram" account, called a Finstagram or Finsta. Watch our Instagram video.
LinkedIn (Based in USA, Owned by Microsoft)
Apple Age Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
SmartSocial Linkedin App Review
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. It is an important tool for teens who want to improve their Google results when applying to college. It is the best place to start an online image to impress colleges and future employers. Watch our LinkedIn video.
Medium (Based in USA, Owned by A Medium Corp)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Medium App Review
Medium is an online publishing platform and app, that allows users to publish articles on any subject. When used wisely, Medium can have a positive impact on a student’s digital footprint. The website and Medium app can be a great place for students to highlight their thought leadership on topics relevant to their industry, major, hobby, or passion. Watch our Medium video.
Pinterest (Based in USA, Owned by Pinterest, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Pinterest App Review
Pinterest is a visual discovery tool that helps users find and save ideas. It's a great source of inspiration for students. They can use Pinterest to find studying tips, DIY projects, and more. Kids can have fun on Pinterest, but parents should monitor their activity because they could come across some mature content on the network. Watch our Pinterest video.
Parents: Learn 5 Practical Ways To Keep Students Safe Online During Virtual Learning (And 25 Apps To Avoid)
Join Josh's Free Parent/Educator Webinar To Learn How To Keep Your Kids Safe During Virtual Learning (Register Here)
Educators: Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020
Join Josh's Free Educator Webinar To Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020 (And How To Promote Safety On Campus & Online)
Prezi (Based in Hungary, Owned by Prezi Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Prezi App Review
Prezi is a presentation software that allows users to create and share visually engaging slide presentations through their website. Having a professional presentation can showcase a student’s passion and knowledge on a specific subject. Presentations can help a student's online footprint, or hurt their image if they are outdated and contain incorrect information. Watch our Prezi video.
Twitter (Based in USA, Owned by Twitter, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Twitter App Review
Twitter allows users to send messages up to 280 characters in length (and include photos and videos). Twitter is a place where some students feel they can diary their feelings, not realizing their Tweets are tied to their identity (and can be seen by colleges and employers. Twitter reported having more than 2 billion users in 2020. Watch our Twitter video.
YouTube (Based in USA, Owned by Google)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social YouTube App Review
YouTube is the world's second largest search engine (their parent company, Google, is the largest search engine) and it's among the most popular apps for students. If students are under 13 years of age, parents should be present when their kids are watching videos on YouTube, since content ranges from innocent to mature and violent. Positive YouTube videos, created by students, can turn their Google results into a 3D version of their college resume. YouTube also has a multitude of educational videos that students can learn different skills and hobbies from. The app offers many parental settings, including content filters and time restrictions. Watch our YouTube video.
ZeeMee App
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social ZeeMee App Review
ZeeMee is a free app that allows students to showcase themselves for college admissions, through photos and videos. Students can connect with each other on the app, based on interests and passion. Profiles can be made private and unsearchable online, so that only those with the link will be able to see them. The college admissions process can become overwhelming, especially if your student wants to showcase extracurricular activities such as sports, drawing, or dancing. This app offers students the chance to showcase their passions for their college application. Watch our ZeeMee video.
GRAY ZONE: Parents should participate in these apps with students to keep them safe. These apps can be good (and bad) for your students.
The gray zone is a place where your students WANT to hang out, but if they use these apps negatively, it could hurt their digital footprint. Also, parents should be engaged when students use gray zone apps. This zone can be a great place for family time since many of these apps can be entertaining, and let your students express themselves. These apps can be safe as long as parents are nearby. We do recommend you talk to your kids about "Sexting" and sharing inappropriate content, if your kids have these apps. The SmartSocial.com team suggests parents should spend time each month talking with their kids about each app they use. This is the best way to keep your kids safe online (not by restricting them, but by staying informed and keeping an open dialog).
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Among Us App (Based in USA, Owned by InnerSloth LLC)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Among Us App Review
The Among Us app is an online, multiplayer game that can be played with friends or strangers. It’s a social dedication game filled with teamwork, betrayal, and mild violence. The goal is to fix up a spaceship and try to figure out who the alien imposter is among the crewmates. If the crewmates figure out who the imposter is, they win. If they don’t, the imposter will kill off each crewmate and win. Parents should know there is a public game option that lets you play and chat with complete strangers. Safer Among Us options include: playing only with people who share the same Wi-Fi network or creating a private game that requires a code to join. Watch our Among Us video.
Bitmoji App (Based in USA, Owned by Snap Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Bitmoji App Review
The Bitmoji app allows users to create a cartoon avatar or “emoji” that looks like themselves. Since it’s easy to create Bitmojis and share them on other apps, teens could get themselves in trouble if they create an inappropriate Bitmoji that gets shared on social media (or screenshot and shared). Creating a Bitmoji could encourage teens to obsess over their looks which can be damaging for their self-image and some security experts warn that giving 3rd party keyboards access to your device’s data can put your privacy at risk. Watch our Bitmoji video.
Byte App (Based in USA, Owned by Byte, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Byte App Review
The Byte app lets users watch, create, and share six-second video loops. Users can follow other Byte profiles, but profiles cannot be shared and you can’t see how many followers someone else has. All videos posted to the app are automatically public. Users can like or comment on anyone else’s video, share it as a “rebyte”, or redistribute it through text, email, or another social media platform. There is a “flag” button to report inappropriate videos. Users can scroll up from the homepage to watch random videos. Or they can search for videos by username or from one of several categories. Watch our Byte app video.
Fortnite Battle Royale (Based in USA, Owned by Epic Games)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Fortnite App Review
Fortnite Battle Royale is a free, multiplayer game that is incredibly popular with students. The concept of the game is simple – the last player to survive the battle wins. But this isn’t a traditional war game. Fortnite Battle Royale is set in a colorful, surreal world where players can dress their avatars up in silly costumes and have fun while trying to survive. Players can also hang out virtually in the non-violent Party Royale mode. Fortnite is designed to keep players coming back, which can be addicting and difficult for students who haven’t yet developed a healthy relationship with screen time. Also, students might come across profanity or inappropriate language from other players through text or voice chatting. Watch our Fortnite: Battle Royale app video.
Parents: Learn 5 Practical Ways To Keep Students Safe Online During Virtual Learning (And 25 Apps To Avoid)
Join Josh's Free Parent/Educator Webinar To Learn How To Keep Your Kids Safe During Virtual Learning (Register Here)
Educators: Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020
Join Josh's Free Educator Webinar To Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020 (And How To Promote Safety On Campus & Online)
Google Arts & Culture App (Based in USA, Owned by Google Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Google Arts & Culture App Review
Google Arts & Culture is an app and website that launched in 2016. The popularity of this app is attributed to its “art selfie” feature. If the sole purpose of having an app is to take selfies, it might not be the most productive app for students to have. Also, some users have been insulted by the paintings they were paired with. Watch our Google Arts & Culture app video.
Google Hangouts (Based in USA, Owned by Google Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Google Hangouts App Review
Google Hangouts is a messaging platform tied to your Gmail address. Users can message friends, start free video or voice calls, and start a conversation with one person or a group. Some parents have found predators targeting their kids through Google Hangouts to try and entice them into partaking in video calls or sending photos of themselves. Watch our Google Hangouts app video.
GroupMe App(Based in USA, Owned by Microsoft)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social GroupMe App Review
GroupMe is a messaging app where users can send group or private messages from their computer or phone using WiFi. Since activity from the GroupMe app doesn’t show up on their parents’ phone bill, some students use the app to hide their messaging activity. Watch our GroupMe video.
Houseparty App (Based in USA, owned by Epic Games)
Apple App Store Rating: 14+
Google Play Rating: T (for teen)
SmartSocial.com Houseparty App Review
Houseparty is a video chat app that mimics an actual house party where users can move from “room” to “room” video chatting with others. Users can chat with up to 8 people at the same time. Houseparty encourages users to have frequent, candid conversations with their family, friends, and friends of friends. Chats are unmoderated which means students might come in contact with inappropriate content or cyberbullies. Watch our Houseparty video.
Kahoot App (Based in Norway, Owned by Kahoot!)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Kahoot! App Guide
There’s a good chance your kids are on the Kahoot! app at school. Teachers love using and creating game show-style quizzes, or Kahoots, to get students more engaged in their lessons. Kahoot! was named one of the top educational apps by Yahoo and Digital Trends. We put this app in our Gray Zone because some students are using it in all the wrong ways. There are reports of students cheating and causing the quizzes to crash during class. So we recommend always monitoring your student's usage of Kahoot. Watch our Kahoot! App video.
Life360 Family Locator App (Based in USA, Owned by Life360)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Life360 App Review
Life360 Family Locator is a real time location-sharing app that uses GPS location data to report the location of users. Users create geofences around their home, and other frequently visited destinations. If your family uses the app, be aware that your children can start sharing their location with their friends. Watch our Life360 Family Locator App video.
Litterati App (Based in USA, Owned by Litterati)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Litterati App Review
The Litterati app encourages users to clean up litter in their community while leveraging social networking. Some parents are concerned because their students take photos of themselves with the trash they collect and then post the photo to the app with their exact location. Geo-tagging can make it easier for predators to target victims in their exact location and learn more information about them. Watch our Litterati App video.
Marco Polo App (Based in USA, Owned by Joya Communications, Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Marco Polo App Review
The Marco Polo app is a video instant messaging app. To add users, the app requests access to the users contact lists and says: “Send your contacts to the server to connect you with friends" and “Upload your address book to know which of your friends already have Marco Polo." Note from Josh: It is a very bad idea to ever let your kids use apps that grant access to the contacts in their phone. Watch the Marco Polo App video.
Messenger Kids (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Messenger Kids App Review
Messenger Kids, by Facebook, is a video chat and messaging app that’s built for kids 6-12 years old. When kids receive a friend request, that request is sent to their parents to either approve or deny. Messages can’t be hidden and never disappear. Parents can easily read the chat and connection history. SmartSocial.com Founder Josh Ochs believes your student should not be on social media before the age of 13. It's important to regularly monitor younger kids regularly if they use Messenger Kids. Watch our Messenger Kids app video.
Minecraft (Based in Sweden, Owned by Mojang)
Apple App Store Rating: 9+
Google Play: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Minecraft Review
Minecraft gameplay involves players interacting with the game world by placing and breaking various types of blocks in a 3D environment. Users can build creative structures, creations, and artwork on multiplayer servers and single player worlds across multiple game modes. While Minecraft may be used for educational purposes, players can encounter bullying, inappropriate content and even viruses when playing this game. Watch our Minecraft video.
Musical.ly App
Note: Musical.ly was shut down in August 2018. All of Musical.ly's 100 million users were transitioned to the TikTok app's servers in China.
Smart Social Musical.ly App Review
Musical.ly lets users create lip-syncing videos to their favorite songs. While this app may be fun for teens, it may be scary for tweens due to the adult songs and mature content that can be found on this app. Watch our Musical.ly video.
Parents: Learn 5 Practical Ways To Keep Students Safe Online During Virtual Learning (And 25 Apps To Avoid)
Join Josh's Free Parent/Educator Webinar To Learn How To Keep Your Kids Safe During Virtual Learning (Register Here)
Educators: Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020
Join Josh's Free Educator Webinar To Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020 (And How To Promote Safety On Campus & Online)
Netflix App (Based in the USA, Owned by Netflix)
Apple Store Age: 12+
Google Play Age: T (for teen)
SmartSocial.com Netflix App Review
The Netflix app allows users, with a paid Netflix account, to watch streaming movies and TV shows on a mobile device. Family members can share one account with up to 5 individual profiles. You must be 18+ to start a Netflix membership, according to the Terms of Use. Netflix offers many parental controls to filter content on a student’s profile. Parents can only access the safety settings on Netflix.com, not on the Netflix app. Watch our Netflix app video.
ooVoo App (Based in USA, Owned by Krush Technologies)
Apple App Store Rating: At the time of this review, ooVoo was no longer available in Apple iOS App Store.
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social ooVoo App Review
ooVoo is a video and messaging app. It was discontinued in November 2017, but it currently available again on Google Play. Parents should be aware that ooVoo has been reportedly used by predators to contact underage kids. The app allows users to video chat with up to twelve people at one time. Watch our ooVoo app video.
Periscope (Based in USA, Owned by Twitter)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Periscope App Review
Periscope is a live video app. It allows users to watch and broadcast real time videos from their phones. It’s easy to find your kids on Periscope if you know their Twitter usernames. Most of the content on this app is unmonitored and your students can watch live videos from all over the world. Watch our Periscope video.
Pokémon Go (Based in USA, Owned by Niantic, Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 9+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Pokémon Go App Review
Pokémon Go is an augmented-reality mobile game for iOS and Android devices. While quickly becoming one of the most popular apps of all time, it has raised some safety concerns. Find ways your kids can have fun and still stay safe if they play Pokémon Go. Consider playing as a family and remind your child that they can always contact you if they encounter anything suspicious while playing Pokémon Go. Watch our Pokémon Go video.
Roblox (Based in USA, Owned by Roblox Corp.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: 10+
Smart Social Roblox App Review
Roblox is one of the largest user-generated online gaming platforms. Users can create their own games and play other user generated games. Police warn that predators have used the gaming platform to target children. Since users can create and upload games, inappropriate and graphic content can appear in any game, as well as in the chat box. Watch our Roblox video.
Rules of Survival (Based in China, Owned by NetEase Games)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Rules of Survival App Review
Rules of Survival is a Battle Royale style game. Up to 300 people play until there is only one player left. Parents should be aware that children can talk to other players in the game, some of the character’s outfits are suggestive, and there are in-app purchases. Watch our Rules of Survival video.
SMS Text Messaging
Rating: No minimum age
Apple SMS Guide
Android SMS Guide
Smart Social SMS Review
SMS text messaging is one of the primary apps that each phone has. All accounts are connected to phone numbers. SMS messenger is relatively safe for students – trackable and least difficult for parents to monitor. Watch our SMS Text Messaging video.
Snapchat App (Based in USA, Owned by Snap Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Snapchat App Review
Snapchat promises your kids they can take a photo/video, send it to a friend and the content will only be viewed once and then will disappear. We as adults know that's not true, but many students feel OK sharing very personal moments on Snapchat. Snapchat also has a "story" feature that lets users share some videos/posts for 24 hours on their feed. Parents should add their students on the app and occasionally view their content. Watch our Snapchat video.
Steam Mobile (Based in USA, Owned by Valve Corp)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Steam App Review
Similar to iTunes, Steam is an online distribution platform for users to buy and play video games. Users get instant access to thousands of games that are available on Steam. Most Steam games can be purchased but some are free to play. Although the games have age requirements, it’s easy for students to bypass the age restrictions. Some parents warn that it can be easy for younger students to be scammed into an unfair deal when trading items. So if your family uses Steam, familiarize yourself with the parental controls offered (called “Steam Family View”). Watch our Steam Games video.
Threads from Instagram (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook, Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Threads from Instagram App Review
Threads from Instagram is a brand new messaging app that allows users to stay in constant contact and share private content with a list of their closest friends. One option on Threads raises some serious privacy concerns. Users can allow the app to track them and send out automatic updates on their behalf. While it won’t share exact locations, it could automatically show an emoji, like this 
, when a user is at home. If your kids are on this app, we highly recommend that you get on it too and have your kid add you as a “close friend” so you can make sure they’re using it safely. Watch our Threads from Instagram video.
TikTok (Based in China, Owned by ByteDance)
Apple App Store Rating Age: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social TikTok App Review
TikTok is a make-your-own music video app. The app was called Musical.ly until the Chinese company ByteDance purchased it in 2017. TikTok was the top most downloaded app in the US in the spring of 2020. Users can watch and create short (up to 60-seconds) videos. Police warn that online predators can also watch students sing and dance on the app, if parents don’t take some proactive steps to keep their kids safe. TikTok released new parental controls in 2020, including a Family Pairing feature which allows parents to link their TikTok account to their student's TikTok account. Watch our TikTok video.
Triller (Based in the USA, Owned by Proxima Media)
Apple App Store Rating Age: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Triller App Review
The Triller app, first released in 2015, is a social media network where users make and share short videos. Anyone can view videos, but users must sign up for a free account to “like” videos, follow other users, read/make comments, and send direct messages. Users can create professional-looking music videos and vlogs in minutes with the app’s auto-editing algorithm. The app has 100+ filters and videos can be personalized with text, drawings and emojis. Triller’s music library features top trending songs. Since content is user-generated on Triller, it can contain profanity, suggestive dance moves, drinking, and drug use. Accounts and videos can be set to private in the Settings menu. Watch our Triller video.
Twitch (Based in USA, Owned by Twitch Interactive, Inc, subsidiary of Amazon)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Twitch App Review
Twitch is a live streaming video platform owned my Amazon where users watch people live stream themselves as they play video games (and live chat with viewers). Twitch is the leading live streaming video service for video games in the US and contains lots of chances for your students to chat live with friends (and strangers) on the platform. No matter how you configure your student’s Twitch security settings, there is no way to know if content is safe for your student unless you become familiar with the platform and review their favorite videos or streamers. Watch our Twitch video.
Vine (Based in USA, Owned by Twitter - Closed in 2016)
Note: Vine was discontinued by Twitter in 2016 and is no longer available for download.
Smart Social Vine App Review
Vine is owned by Twitter and is a 6 second video sharing app. Kids often post videos of their everyday life and blunders. Much of the content on Vine is crude humor and carefully crafted to get views. Some users of this app have become Vine Celebrities and moved onto other networks. Students who want this can end up hurting their reputation. Watch our Vine video.
VSCO App (Based in USA, Owned by VSCO)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social VSCO App Review
The VSCO app is a photo editing app, similar to Instagram, with various filters and photo enhancements. Users can share their photos on the VSCO app or to other apps after they edit them. Unlike Instagram, there is limited social interaction on VSCO. Users can private message friends (if they follow each other), but they can’t like or comment on each other’s posts. VSCO profiles cannot be set to private, which means anything teen users post on VSCO can easily be viewed by complete strangers on the internet. The app gained popularity in the summer of 2019, due to the #VSCOgirl fashion trend. Watch our VSCO video.
WhatsApp Messenger (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook, Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (for everyone)
SmartSocial.com WhatsApp Review
WhatsApp is a free messaging app that allows students to use wifi to bypass their SMS/text messaging feature and directly communicate with other users on the app. The app promises end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp has free messaging, stickers, group video chats, and voice calls. WhatsApp can be accessed on a smartphone or a desktop. WhatsApp is now one of the largest messaging apps in the world, with 2 billion users. Watch our WhatsApp video.
RED ZONE: ANONYMOUS APPS – Here are the apps SmartSocial.com does NOT consider safe for students.
These are the apps Josh Ochs and the Smart Social team do not recommend for teens or tweens. These apps usually have inappropriate and unmoderated content. Also, they lend themselves to cyberbullying. Often, these apps are anonymous and will encourage students to behave inappropriately. When students use an app in anonymous mode (without it being tied to their real identity) they tend to behave differently. Students are also more prone to cyberbullying and chatting with strangers (sometimes even predators) in the red zone.
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After School App (Based in USA, Owned by ONE, Inc.)
NOTE: At the time of this review, After School was no longer available in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Smart Social AfterSchool App Review
After School App is an anonymous app that creates a separate chat group for every school. It has been removed multiple times from the App Store and Google Play because of threats and arrests. Messages often include bullying, pornography, and alcohol or drug references. Watch our After School App video.
Amino (Based in USA, Owned by Narvii, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Amino App Review
The Amino app encourages young users to explore their interests and connect with people who have similar passions. However, those virtual Amino communities are uncensored and everyone using the app is anonymous. Your children could be chatting, sharing photos, or exchanging videos with adult strangers who have ulterior motives. There are several recent news accounts of predators lurking on the Amino App to prey on kids. If your children are using this app, we strongly suggest you delete it and encourage them to explore their interests in a safer environment. Watch our Amino Chat video.
AntiLand App (Based in USA, Owned by Anti Corporation)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: Mature (17+)
Smart Social AntiLand App Review
The AntiLand app (formerly AntiChat app) offers users the ability to anonymously chat with users around the world. Anonymous apps like AntiLand can be very dangerous for students to use because they encourage users to chat with strangers. Content in chat rooms can be very mature and many users ask for pictures or to send pictures. Watch our AntiLand video.
ASKfm (Based in Latvia, Owned by Ask.fm Europe Limited)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social ASKfm App Review
ASKfm (previously known as Ask.fm) is one of the godfathers of cyber bullying apps as it has been around for quite some time. It encourages students to set up a public profile and allow anonymous people to ask them questions. This encourages bullying and can really hurt the student's feelings. Kids often reveal too much personal information on this site, and cyberbullying is very prevalent. Watch our ASKfm video.
BIGO Live App (Based in Singapore, Owned by Bigo Technology)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social BIGO Live App Review
BIGO LIVE is a live video streaming social media network that encourages users to randomly chat with strangers using their video calls feature. The emphasis of connecting with strangers on BIGO LIVE is a major red flag that this app is NOT safe for students. Watch our BIGO Live App video.
BitLife App (Based in USA, Owned by CandyWriter LLC)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social BitLife App Review
The BitLife app guides players on a simulated life from birth to death. Players make text-based choices, which can promote safe or risky lifestyles. The app is rated for users ages 17+, however BitLife is popular among school aged children. Players are exposed to many mature ideas including drug addiction, sex, and violence. Player can earn dozens of different ribbons once they reach certain milestones, which could contribute to excessive screen time or gaming addiction. Watch our BitLife App video.
BOO (Based in China, Owned by Beijing Baide Aisi Technology Co)
Apple App Store Rating: 9+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social BOO App Review
The BOO app (formerly Boomoji) is a social network where users create an avatar that they use to chat with others. If your student had the app before December 2018 (or if their friends did), it is likely that their phone number and any other personal information they linked to the app was exposed. In our experience, when tweens and teens have anonymous avatars to hide behind, they tend to misbehave then when their actions are tied to their real name. Watch our Boo App video.
Bumble App (Based in USA, Owned by Bumble Holding Limited)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Bumble App Review
Bumble is a mobile dating app where women must be the first to make contact. Bumble now offers three modes to find matches - Date (dating), BFF (friends) and BIZZ (business). Tweens and teens have been known to lie about their age and create fake accounts on dating apps like Bumble. Watch our Bumble App video.
BurnBook App (Based in USA)
NOTE: At the time of this review, BurnBook was no longer available in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Smart Social BurnBook App Review
BurnBook is an anonymous app for posting text, photos and audio rumor messages about others. The app compiles messages by school, so the app requires access to your location. It encourages students to screenshot the rumors and save them to their phone, which causes bullying issues. Watch our BurnBook App video.
Calculator% Private Photo App
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Calculator% Private Photo App Review
The “Private Photo (Calculator%)” app is designed to help students hide photos and videos behind an innocent looking calculator app. This application looks like a calculator but entering a pass-code opens a private area. Watch our Calculator% Private Photo App video.
Call of Duty: Mobile App (Based in USA, Owned by Activision Publishing)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Call of Duty App Review
Call of Duty is one of the most popular video games of all time. Now millions of people are taking their violent, multiplayer battles on the go. Although the free Call of Duty mobile app is rated for ages 17 and up, it is still popular among young children. The app has warnings for mature content, violence, and profanity. We also want parents to know this game can be addicting for users and offers many in-app purchases as players advance through the matches. Players compete against others while playing and can chat with strangers on the app, which could expose them to foul language and bullying. Watch our Call of Duty: Mobile App video.
Discord App (Based in USA, Owned by Discord)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Discord App Review
Discord is a free voice, video, and text chat app that boasts more than 250 million users. Users can livestream games and internet videos. Discord started as an app for gamers, but it has branched out to become a general use platform where users chat about various topics. Like many chat apps, Discord doesn’t put out dangerous content, but some people who use it might. If your student is connecting with random people on Discord, there’s a good chance they might come across something inappropriate. Watch our Discord App video.
Facetune and Facetune2 (Based in Israel, Owned by Lightricks Ltd.)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Facetune App Review
The Facetune app lets users change or remove their perceived imperfections in an instant. Facetune launched in 2013 and Facetune2 debuted in 2016 with enhanced features. They can be purchased in the iOS App Store and on Google Play. Facetune users can take photos through the app or edit photos on their camera roll, then share them to social media. Users can make minor or major adjustments to their appearance. The tools can smooth or reshape the face and body, remove blemishes, brighten teeth, and change the size of noses and lips. Some psychologists have warned there are dangerous health consequences for teens who regularly use apps, like Facetune, to change their appearance. Watch our Facetune app video.
Fachat App (Based in China, Owned by Jingwen Guan)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Fachat App Review
Fachat allows users to pay to video chat with strangers around the world. Tweens and teens could easily download the app and use a fake birthday to gain access. The Fachat app asks for permission to access a user’s camera and microphone. Users can remain anonymous or add their age, location, and photo to their profile. Users can swipe through profiles to find someone to video chat with. The app is free, but coins must be purchased for video chats. Chatting with strangers online could be dangerous and children could be exposed to some very mature conversations and inappropriate sexual behaviors on Fachat. Watch our Fachat app video.
Finstagram/Spam Instagram Account (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Finstagram App Review
Finstagram (Finsta) is a fake (or second) Instagram account (sometimes referred to as a "spam account" by students). Students get a second Instagram account along with their real Instagrams, to post silly pictures or videos (without their parents knowing about the second account). Watch our Finstagram App video.
HOLA App (Based in USA, Owned by Skylb Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social HOLA App Review
The HOLA app is a random video chat app. Users must sign up with a Google or Facebook account. They are not asked to verify their age. New users must give the app permission to access the phone’s camera and microphone. Users push a “start call” button to immediately be connected with a live, random stranger. After 30 seconds, each phone call automatically turns into a video chat. Users report widespread profanity, nudity, and lewd behavior on the app. Users can pay a monthly fee to filter their chats based on profiles or genders. The app has a free translation service, so people can communicate with non-native speakers. Watch our HOLA App video.
HOLLA App (Based in China, Owned by HOLLA Group)
Apple App Store Rating: At the time of this review, the HOLLA app was not available for download in the iOS App Store.
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social HOLLA App Review
The HOLLA app is a live, random video chat app. Users must register with a phone number or Facebook account. The app requires access to a user’s phone camera and microphone. Users can swipe through live video chats with strangers. There is also a “Nearby” chat mode that uses the phone’s GPS to connect with nearby strangers. A monthly fee is required to search for users by their gender or profile. Many users report seeing nudity and and lewd behavior on this app. Watch our HOLLA App video.
Hooked App (Based in USA, Owned by Telepathic, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Hooked App Review
The Hooked app enables users to read stories in chat form, like a series of text messages or as a series of video clips. Since the majority of the stories feature sex, violence, and drug use, this app is inappropriate for students. Also, this app can have a serious impact on your child’s digital footprint, especially if they sign up with their Facebook account. Watch our Hooked App video.
Hoop App (Based in France, Owned by Dazz SAS)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Hoop App Review
The Hoop app makes it easier than ever for students to meet strangers on Snapchat. You must log in to the Hoop app with a valid Snapchat account. Hoop app is built on the Snapchat platform (but is not owned by Snapchat). Hoop users swipe through profiles to find new people to connect with on Snapchat. On each profile the Hoop user can either: push an “X” and go to the next profile or push the Snapchat icon to ask them to connect on Snapchat. Users must earn Diamonds to make new connections. They can earn them by sharing a referral code, rating the app on the App Store, taking surveys, adding new Hoop profiles to Snapchat, and through other virtual tasks. Watch our Hoop App video.
IMVU App (Based in USA, Owned by IMVU, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social IMVU App Review
IMVU is an app where users create custom avatars and use them to chat with strangers in random chats or 3D chat rooms. This app can be used by predators to try and get victims to share their phone number, send photos, and video chat off of the app. Content on IMVU is inappropriate for teens and avatars can be used to simulate explicit activities. Watch our IMVU App video.
Jott Messenger (Based in USA, Owned by Juxta Labs)
NOTE: At the time of this review, Jott Messenger was no longer available in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Smart Social Jott Messenger App Review
Jott Messenger is an app that allows students to send messages without a data plan or a WiFi connection. Jott messenger creates a closed network with other devices (usually using a direct bluetooth signal) and can reach other users up to 100-feet. Like Snapchat, Jott includes a “self-destructing” feature that lets the user decide when a message, photo, or video will disappear. Watch our Jott Messenger App video.
Kik Messenger (Based in USA, Owned by MediaLab)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Kik Messenger App Review
Kik allows anyone on the app to contact your child and directly message them. There are reports of adults using the app to communicate with preteens. It can be very difficult for students to discern who is a predator and who is real and some adults have been known to use this app to pretend like they are tweens and teens. Users can connect with anyone on the network and aren’t limited to their phone’s contact list. Watch our Kik Messenger App video.
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Lasso App (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook Inc.)
NOTE: Facebook announced it is shutting down the Lasso app, effective July 10, 2020.
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Lasso App Review
Kids are having a blast making shareable videos on the Facebook-owned app called Lasso. If you’ve ever heard of Tik Tok, the Lasso app is extremely similar. Lasso app users can create and edit videos and set them to music. The Smart Social team put this app in our Red Zone because we believe it poses some serious safety risks to your kids and some privacy concerns that could follow them into adulthood. The privacy controls on this app are extremely limited. Complete strangers can watch every video your kid is creating on the Lasso App. Yikes! Watch the Lasso App video.
LINE App (Based in Japan, Owned by LINE Corporation)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social LINE App Review
The LINE app allows users to have hidden chats, make new friends, and build a social media network filled with cute stickers and avatars. It also gives users a free way to make calls and send texts. Strangers can easily contact kids through the LINE app and LINE Play. If your student is using LINE, we recommend turning their “public user ID” to private, adding a passcode, and filtering messages from non-friends. The location settings should also be turned off or nearby strangers can locate your children and send them a friend request. There are also many in-app purchases that parents should be aware of. Watch the LINE App video.
Lipsi App
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: At the time of this review, Lipsi was not available for download on Google Play
Smart Social Lipsi App Review
Lipsi is a feedback app where students can accept anonymous feedback from others. Anonymous apps, like Lipsi, can be dangerous for students and don’t help them build a positive digital footprint. Cyberbullying is a big threat on this app. Remind your children that anonymous apps are never truly anonymous. Anyone can take a screenshot of their content and share it across other platforms. Watch the Lipsi App video.
Live.ly App (Based in China, Owned by Musical.ly)
NOTE: Live.ly was shutdown in 2018 and is no longer available in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Smart Social Live.ly App Review
Live.ly was a video streaming app from the creators of Musical.ly where users broadcasted live video (or video chatted with friends). Before it closed in 2018, there were reports of students using Live.ly to play truth or dare, and it was not uncommon to see students younger than 13 on the app. Some parents even called the Live.ly app a "pedophile hunting ground". Watch the Live.ly App video.
Live.me App (Based in China, Owned by KS Mobile)
Apple App Store: 17+
Google Play Rating: At this time of this review, Live.Me was no longer available on Google Play.
Smart Social Live.Me App Review
Live.me (also called LiveMe) is a live streaming video app that allows users to watch or broadcast live-stream videos. The app uses geolocation to share videos, so users know broadcasters exact location. Users earn coins on Live.me and some predators are using coins as a way to pay minors for pictures. Be aware that anyone can watch your students videos and access their information on the app. Watch the Live.me App video.
Look App
NOTE: At the time of this review, Look was no longer available in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
Smart Social Look App Review
The Look app is a free messaging app that combines live video with text messaging. In the past the Look app was known to request the user to upload all of their contacts to the app's servers. The app would then send text messages to many of the contacts saying the user invited them to join the app. This felt like a spammy technique to many users. Also, some users have reported that it’s easy for strangers to message you on the app. Watch the Look App video.
MeetMe App (Based in USA, Owned by The Meet Group)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social MeetMe App Review
The MeetMe App dating connects strangers based on similar interests and locations. Users can private message each other and participate in live streams. They are also encouraged to exchange gifts and money through the app. Police have issued warnings about MeetMe after cases involving predators caught using the app. Although it’s rated for people ages 17 and up, younger users can still download and use MeetMe. As a default, names and locations are public on profiles. If your kids have this app on their phones, we highly recommend they delete their profiles immediately and then delete the MeetMe app. Watch the MeetMe App video.
MeWe App (Based in USA, Owned by Sgrouples Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social MeWe App Review
The MeWe app is a social networking app for users who want more privacy. The app encourages users to be their “uncensored selves” which doesn’t promote being positive online. Having the ability to create separate profiles to share with different people means the app doesn’t promote authenticity (being inauthentic can hurt your child’s digital footprint). Additionally, many users have reported receiving a lot of inappropriate and mature spam content from bots on the app. Watch the MeWe App video.
Mojiit App (Based in USA, Owned by Mojiit)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: At the time of this review, Mojiit was not available on Google Play.
Smart Social Mojiit App Review
The Mojiit app is a social network where users create and share animated avatars using augmented reality. Using their phone’s camera, users take videos of themselves which turn into an avatar. The 3D avatar mimics the user’s voice and movements. Some teens who don’t like the Snapchat update are using the Mojiit app instead. Mojiit uses geolocation and encourages users to go to certain locations nearby. Geolocation features can be dangerous for teens and tweens because strangers nearby can find the student’s exact location. Watch the Mojiit App video.
Monkey App (Based in USA, Owned by Monkey, Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: As of May 2020, Monkey is no longer available for download in the iOS App Store.
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Monkey App Review
The Monkey app randomly pairs users with strangers for a 15 second video chat. When signing up, users connect their Snapchat usernames and phone numbers to the app. Users see the age and gender of the other user before connecting with them for a 15-second chat. We highly recommend deleting the Monkey app if your child has it because random video chatting apps make it easy for teens to be targeted by predators. Watch the Monkey App video.
MyLOL App (Based in Canada, Owned by Smart Lamas Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: As of May 2020, MyLOL was no longer available for download in the iOS App Store.
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social MyLOL App Review
MyLOL is a popular teen dating app in the US, UK, and Canada. It is designed for students 13-19 years old. Built-in features of MyLOL encourage users to send private messages to random strangers. While people over 20 years old are not permitted to create an account, MyLOL makes it easy to enter another birth date, if you’re not a teen. MyLOL is owned by the same company as Spotafriend, another teen dating app. Watch the MyLOL App video.
Ogle App (Based in USA, Owned by Nuistars Inc.)
NOTE: This app is no longer available in the iOS App Store or on Google Play.
Smart Social Ogle App Review
Ogle is an anonymous app that automatically searches your location for nearby schools when downloaded. The app allows *anyone* to interact with school feeds, engage on any campuses content, and share or ask anything anonymously. Since there is little formal registration, bullies and predators can easily masquerade as students and friends. Watch the Ogle App video.
Omegle App (Based in Dubai, Owned by Omegle)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Omegle App Review
Omegle is an anonymous text and video chat room that connects strangers to talk with each other. The app allows you to share personal information, and also contains inappropriate and unmoderated content. Omegle’s slogan is: “Talk to strangers!” Omegle also has a video chat feature. The content in video chat rooms is not moderated by administrators. Watch our Omegle App video.
Overwatch Game (Based in USA, Owned by Blizzard Entertainment)
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Overwatch Review
Overwatch is a multiplayer first-person shooter game available on Windows, XBox One, and PS4 that is incredibly popular with students. The game only works if players are matched onto teams with other real people which means that your child will be exposed to strangers in every match. Watch our Overwatch Game video.
Phhhoto App (Based in USA, Owned by Hold Still Inc.)
NOTE: At the time of this review, Phhhoto was no longer available in the iOS App Store or on Google Play. The creators of Phhhoto have created a similar new app, called HYPNO Cam, that's now available only in the iOS App Store.
Smart Social Phhhoto App Review
Phhhoto is a camera app that shoots moving pictures that continually loop to make short movies. There is no option to make an account private, users can only block specific users from seeing their Phhhoto posts. Students without smartphones or email addresses can get access to the app. Users can use a landline or any number to verify their account if they are on a tablet or wifi-only device. Watch our Phhhoto App video.
Randonautica (Based in USA, Owned by Randonaut, LLC)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Randonautica App Review
The Randonautica app might sound enticing to students, but safety is a major concern with this real-life adventure game. The app is free to download and there are no age requirements. Users can “manifest” the type of experience they want to encounter by typing in an intention or what they hope to find. The app then generates a set of random GPS coordinates for the user to travel to. “Randonauts” then post their discoveries to social media. Although the app warns users not to go onto private property, the quantum random number generators often lead users to private property and other potentially dangerous locations. Watch our Randonautica app video.
Reddit (Based in USA, Owned by Reddit Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Reddit App Review
Known as "the front page to the internet", Reddit is a website where users can post interesting news, humorous memes, questions about topics, and random information. Registered users can comment and vote posts up or down which determine its position on the site’s pages. Content is organized by groups/areas of interest called “subreddits.” Reddit is incredibly popular and has been in the top 10 most trafficked websites for years. Parents should be aware that most accounts are anonymous, there are no editors on Reddit – anyone can submit content, users can only down vote or report inappropriate posts, and there is a lot of explicit content. Watch our Reddit video.
Sarahah App (Based in Saudi Arabia, Owned by Sarahah)
NOTE: This app was removed from the iOS App Store and Google Play in 2018.
Smart Social Sarahah App Review
Sarahah is an app and website that allows users to send and receive anonymous messages. Teens and tweens feel like they can hide behind their anonymous screen names and bully others without repercussions. There is no way to report inappropriate content or threats. Many students attach their Sarahah links to their Snapchat and Instagram stories and accounts. Watch our Sarahah App video.
SayAt.Me App (Based in Estonia, Owned by SayAt.Me OÜ)
Apple App Store Rating: As of May 2020, this app was not available in the iOS App Store.
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social SayAt.Me App Review
The SayAt.Me app is an anonymous website and app, on the Google Play Store, that allows users to gather feedback from others. Anonymous apps are breeding grounds for cyberbullying behavior. Some students feel like they can hide behind anonymity on social media to hurt others. Also, SayAt.Me encourages users to compare their self-image to other people’s opinions which can be damaging to a developing tween or teen. Watch our SayAt.Me App video.
Secret App
Note: The Secret App was shutdown in 2015 and is no longer available in the iOS App Store or on Google Play.
Smart Social Secret App Review
Secret is an app that allows people to share messages anonymously within their circle of friends, friends of friends, and publicly. When a student sees a secret about them on the app, they don't know who posted it, but they do know one of their 3-100 connections sent it. This can cause bullying and anxiety. Students often hide behind being anonymous when posting, and forget that anonymous does not mean untraceable. Watch our Secret App video.
Signal App (Based in USA, Owned by Signal Foundation)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Signal App Review
The Signal app is a free private messaging app that promises privacy for users through end-to-end encryption. It is widely used by people - from politicians to famous athletes - who don’t want to risk having others see or hear their personal information, private messages, and photos. The app’s developer is a 501c3 nonprofit and there are no in-app purchases available. The company says it doesn’t collect metadata on its users (this includes a user’s identity and location). Using any private messaging app could lead to negative behavior because students might feel they can hide their actions from their parents. Watch our Signal App video.
Slingshot App (Based in USA, Owned by Science Mobile)
NOTE: As of May 2020, Slingshot was not available for download in the iOS App Store or on Google Play.
Smart Social Slingshot App Review
Slingshot is a comparison app, marketed to boys, that allows users to vote or create polls. Slingshot users can create any type of poll, including polls that are not appropriate for teens. In the beginning, this app would force students to watch inappropriate videos before moving onto the next poll. Watch our Slingshot App video.
Spotafriend App (Based in Canada, Owned by Smart Lamas Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Spotafriend App Review
Spotafriend is an app strictly for teens designed to help them find friends. We discourage students from using Spotafriend since there have been instances of adults being able to easily bypass the age restriction. Also, this app can be used by predators to try and target victims nearby. Spotafriend is owned by the creators of MyLOL, a popular teen dating app. Watch our Spotafriend App video.
Squad App (Based in the USA, Owned by Olabot Inc)
Apple App Store Age: 4+
Google Play Age: T (for teen)
SmartSocial.com Squad App Review
Squad is a video chat app that lets friends share their screens with each other. Up to 9 friends can video chat at the same time. Squad users can browse websites together, watch videos, scroll through social media feeds, or watch each other play games. They can talk and type to each other while screen sharing. Users can create a chat room with friends or join a Party Room with strangers. There are no privacy settings or filters to prevent children from chatting with adults. Users can share anything on the internet, which could expose children to inappropriate videos or content. Watch our Squad App video.
Parents: Learn 5 Practical Ways To Keep Students Safe Online During Virtual Learning (And 25 Apps To Avoid)
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StreetChat App
NOTE: This app is no longer available in the iOS App Store or on Google Play.
Smart Social StreetChat App Review
StreetChat is a live photo-sharing board designed for middle school, high school and college students. Kids feel freedom to send mean posts because they do not have to confirm their identity within the app. This leads to students often posting about real people. Watch our StreetChat App video.
Tango App (Based in USA, Owned by TangoMe)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Tango App Review
The Tango app is a social network and messaging app for phones or tablets that uses geo-location. Tango encourages users to talk to strangers. Since the app utilizes geo-location, strangers can may be able to access to your child's location. Watch our Tango App video.
tbh App (Based in USA, Owned by Facebook Inc.)
Note: The tbh App was discontinued in 2018 and is no longer available for download in the iOS App Store or Google Play.
Smart Social tbh App Review
TBH stands for “to be honest”, and the tbh app is a social networking platform where users anonymously answer questions/polls about their classmates. In October 2017, Facebook acquired the app. There is no verification process on the app so anyone can sign up and say they attend a school in their area, even if they are an adult. Even though the questions/polls are approved by the developers, tbh can still promote bullying and make it easier for students to become a target. This app encourages users to anonymously critique their classmates which can promote unhealthy student interactions. Watch our tbh App video.
Telegram Messenger App (Based in Dubai, Owned by Telegram FZ-LLC)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Telegram Messenger App Review
Telegram is an app that offers unlimited instant messaging with encryption. The app syncs across devices so that users can access their chats on mobile, desktop or tablet. This app was temporarily removed from the App Store due to the danger it posed to children. Watch our Telegram Messenger App video.
Tellonym App (Based in Germany, Owned by Callosum Software)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Tellonym App Review
The Tellonym app allows students (and strangers) to ask and answer questions anonymously. The Tellonym app can be linked to a user’s Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter account, allowing students to get inbound anonymous messages from their friends and strangers. When teens connect anonymous apps to their Instagram or Snapchat they open themselves up to being targeted by strangers across platforms (and bullying/threats from people they may not know). Watch our Tellonym App video.
Text Me App (Based in USA, Owned by TextMe, Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Text Me App Review
The Text Me app offers free texting, calling, and additional phone numbers. In our experience, students will download apps like this so that they can hide their activity from their parents. Even if a user doesn’t have a cellular plan, they can make calls and send texts using the app. Additionally, the Text Me app offers location sharing features which can be incredibly dangerous for students. Watch our Text Me App safety video.
TextNow App (Based in Canada, Owned by TextNow, Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social TextNow App Review
The TextNow app turns any wifi connected device into a phone with its own phone number, even if the device doesn’t have a phone plan. With the TextNow app, users can send traditional text/sms messages that won’t show up in their phone bill. There are several reports of predators using this app to target victims. Watch our TextNow App safety video.
Tinder App (Based in USA, Owned by Tinder)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Tinder App Review
Tinder is a dating app, marketed to adults, that allows users to connect with other Tinder users. Users anonymously swipe right if they’re interested in seeing a user’s profile or they swipe left to pass. If both users express interest or “swipe right” on each other, then those users become a match. Once a user has been matched with another Tinder user they can start chatting with each other in the app. When signing up, users must use a Facebook profile to verify authenticity. Watch our Tinder safety video.
Tumblr App (Based in USA, Owned by Automattic)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Smart Social Tumblr App Review
In 2019, Tumblr was sold by Yahoo to Automattic (WordPress.com’s parent company). Since WordPress runs 34% of all websites in the world, that means that Tumblr – which is already incredibly popular with students – is going to get even more prevalent. Tumblr is one of the world’s most popular blogging platforms. In 2013 (until 2019) Tumblr's terms of service stated they would not delete pornographic information. They encourage students to hide from their real identity (by suggesting a default/random fake username on registration). Tumblr has a big search box at the top of the page and up until January 2019 pornographic information could still be found. Watch our Tumblr App video.
Twenty App (formerly Mappen App) (Based in USA, Owned by Twenty Holdings Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Twenty App Review
Twenty app is a social media networking app that focuses on location sharing. We believe this app is not safe for students to use and if your student has it, have a dialog with your students about sharing their location with others. Watch the Twenty App video.
Voxer App (Based in USA, Owned by Voxer)
Apple App Store Rating: 4+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social Voxer App Review
Voxer is a free messaging app that allows users to send real-time voice messages (like a walkie-talkie) to other users. Teens like using Voxer because their activity on the app doesn't appear on their parents' phone bills. By default, profiles are public on Voxer which can be very dangerous. Watch our Voxer video.
Walkie Talkie (Based in France, Owned by Picslo Corp)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Walkie Talkie App Review
The Walkie Talkie app is a free communication app that lets users turn their phone into an old school walkie talkie. Users can text a channel number to friends or share a specific channel on social media. They can also scroll through channels to find someone to talk with. There is no way to make a channel private. This means anyone can listen in on a conversation. Students should be reminded of the dangers of chatting with strangers and sharing personal information over the internet before using this app. Watch our Walkie Talkie app video.
Wattpad (Based in Canada, Owned by Wattpad)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Wattpad App Review
Wattpad is a relatively unmoderated online storytelling community. One of the major concerns with Wattpad is that teens are posting explicit and inappropriate stories that are connected to their personal Facebook profiles (and shows their profile photo). On Wattpad it is easy for your student to access explicit content and predators are using this site to contact teens. We recommend finding alternative ways your teen can share their creative writing publicly. Watch our Wattpad video.
WeChat (Based in China, Owned by Tencent)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: E (Everyone)
Smart Social WeChat App Review
WeChat is a free texting, video, and calling app developed in China. WeChat is one of the top 50 most popular social media apps in the iTunes store with over 980 million active users. WeChat encourages users to chat with strangers nearby or around the world, at random. This feature is incredibly dangerous for teens and tweens. Watch our WeChat video.
WhatsGoodly App (Based in USA)
NOTE: This app was shutdown in 2017 and is no longer available in the iOS App Store or on Google Play.
Smart Social WhatsGoodly App Review
WhatsGoodly is an anonymous, location-based, social polling application designed for college students. It has a 17+ age restriction, but younger students can still see polls and vote. There are a lot of questions about dating, relationships, alcohol, and smoking on the app. Watch our WhatsGoodly App video.
Whisper App (Based in USA, Owned by MediaLab)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Whisper App Review
Whisper is an anonymous social network that allows people to "express themselves." (Anytime an app encourages students to "express themselves" to strangers, please be very careful). Whisper reveals a user’s location, which makes it easy for people to arrange to meet up. This also makes it easier for predators to locate and connect with users. Watch our Whisper App video.
Wink App (Based in USA, owned by 9 Count Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Wink App Review
The Wink app connects users with strangers. Users find new “friends” by swiping through profiles, like the popular adult dating app, Tinder. Once on a profile, they can swipe right to connect with the person or swipe left to move on to the next profile. Users can click a button to add new Wink friends to their Snapchat, or can they chat directly on Wink. Users must be at least 13 with parental permission to use Wink, according to the Terms of Service. However, there is no age verification so kids could easily set their age to over 18 and adults could easily pose as teens to connect with young users. Watch our Wink App video.
Wishbone App (Based in USA, Owned by Mammoth Media Inc)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Wishbone App Review
Wishbone is a comparison app, marketed to girls, that allows users to vote or create polls. Users can create any type of poll, including polls that are not appropriate for teens. In the beginning, this app would force students to watch inappropriate videos before moving onto the next poll. Watch our Wishbone App video.
Yubo App (formerly called Yellow) (Based in France, Owned by Twelve APP)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social Yubo App Review
The Yubo app markets itself as a way to make friends even though it’s mostly used as a dating app. This can be confusing for teens and tweens who join the app and are not aware of the intentions of other users. This app is nicknamed “Tinder for Snapchat” and “Tinder for Teens." Yubo app users can join a live group stream or swipe through profiles. If two users swipe right on each other’s photos then they become a match and can chat or share Instagram and Snapchat usernames. The Yubo app is free, but users can pay for a premium subscription to up their visibility and get rid of ads. Watch our Yubo App video.
Yik Yak App (Based in USA, Owned by Yik Yak)
Note: Yik Yak was discontinued in April of 2017. Square Inc. purchased the app's intellectual properties, according to TechCrunch.
Smart Social Yik Yak App Review
Yik Yak acted like a local bulletin board for your area by showing the most recent posts from other users around you. Many bomb threats were made on this app. Students sometimes forget that being anonymous on an app does not mean being untraceable. Police departments are quickly able to locate students at home and address them after a threat to school safety. Watch our Yik Yak App video.
YOLO App (Based in France, Owned by Popshow Inc.)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social YOLO App Review
The Yolo app is an anonymous Q&A app that works seamlessly with Snapchat. If your student uses Snapchat, it is very likely that they could encounter the YOLO app. If your student has the YOLO app, we recommend that they delete it and stick to using Snapchat on its own with parental supervision. Watch our YOLO App video.
YouNow App (Based in USA, Owned by YouNow Media LLC)
Apple App Store Rating: 17+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
Smart Social YouNow App Review
YouNow is a popular broadcasting platform where kids can watch and stream real-time videos. Users decide whether broadcasters should continue their live videos with thumbs up and thumbs down voting. If the amount of likes exceeds dislikes, you will be given another minute. If not, then the current broadcast will be voted off. Anyone can record the videos that are posted, take screenshots, and bully others with the recordings. Watch our YouNow App video.
Zynn App (Based in China, Owned by Owlii Inc, a subsidiary of Kuaishou)
Apple App Store Rating: 12+
Google Play Rating: T (Teen)
NOTE: Zynn was removed from both Google Play and the Apple App Store in June 2020 after widespread reports of plagiarism
Smart Social Zynn App Review
Zynn is a TikTok copycat app that pays people to watch videos and refer friends. The app boasts a “massive” music library, cool stickers, and funny effects. Videos can be shared to Instagram, Snapchat, etc. You don’t need an account to watch videos, but you do need an account to make a profile and earn rewards. Reward points can be redeemed for gift cards or Paypal withdrawals. At the time of this review, Zynn does not offer a content filter or an option to make a profile private. Everything users post on Zynn is public. Watch our Zynn App video.
DANGEROUS SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGES: These are viral social media challenges that are popular with students on almost every social network.
Viral challenges like these encourage teens to do dangerous things just for likes, views, attention, and subscribers. These challenges usually target students across several social networks and requires them to perform dangerous activities. Students have to post proof of them partaking in the dangerous challenge on social media. Often, these challenges have serious repercussions and encourages students to behave in a way we have never seen before.
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The Blue Whale Challenge
Age: 10+
The Blue Whale Challenge is a game teens play to perform harmful tasks over 50 days, with the last task urging the victim to die by suicide. The challenge as a whole is meant to harm students and slowly get them to trust the game. Each challenge in the game shames the student to take another action (or they will share their secrets with the public). Get involved, have a healthy dialog with your students about their day and social media. Pay attention to any changes in your teen’s behavior, especially if they become reserved, withdrawn, or fearful of social media. Consider contacting your teen’s school. If your child has engaged with anything like the Blue Whale Challenge, other students might be engaging with it too. Watch our Blue Whale Challenge video.
Condom Snorting Challenge
Age: 12+
The condom snorting challenge is a viral trend where teens post a video of themselves snorting a condom through their nose and pulling it out of their mouth. While this may sound like a joke, teens have been doing this challenge since 2007. With one YouTube search, our team was able to find videos that were uploaded in April 2018 of teens doing the challenge (2 teens had even live streamed it that same day). This challenge can be very dangerous and can cause choking. Health experts warn of infection or allergic reaction. Viral challenges like this encourage teens to do dangerous things just for likes, views, attention, and subscribers. Watch our Condom Snorting Challenge video.
The Deodorant Challenge
Age: 10+
The deodorant challenge is a viral teen trend where students spray their bare skin (or someone else’s) with aerosol deodorant for as long as they can stand it. The challenge is painful, can have a lasting impact, causes scarring, and is causing some teens to be hospitalized. Knowing about social media challenges and trends before your teen does can help you keep them safe before an incident occurs. Watch our Deodorant Challenge video.
The Fire Challenge
Age: 10+
Some kids across the country are lighting themselves on fire-- or letting their friends ignite them while recording it for social media. It’s called the “Fire Challenge.” The life-threatening internet stunt has been around for a while, but unfortunately, some kids are still attempting it and some of them are getting badly burned in the process. People attempting this challenge spray their bodies with common household accelerants, like nail polish remover or hand sanitizer, and then light themselves on fire. We highly recommend parents discuss the dangers of the Fire Challenge with their kids before they find out about it from their friends. Watch our Fire Challenge video.
Parents: Learn 5 Practical Ways To Keep Students Safe Online During Virtual Learning (And 25 Apps To Avoid)
Join Josh's Free Parent/Educator Webinar To Learn How To Keep Your Kids Safe During Virtual Learning (Register Here)
Educators: Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020
Join Josh's Free Educator Webinar To Learn 7 Digital Citizenship Dangers To Know in 2020 (And How To Promote Safety On Campus & Online)
Momo Challenge (A hoax, but important to know about)
Age: 14+
The Momo Challenge is a dangerous viral social media trend with teens and tweens. The challenge encourages students to contact an unknown person called “Momo” via WhatsApp. Throughout the challenge, students are sent violent and graphic images and texts. If students want to stop the challenge “Momo” threatens to leak their personal information. Students who partake in the Momo Challenge are actively communicating with strangers who intend to encourage self-harm. Watch the Momo Challenge video.
Slender Man
Age: 8+
Slender Man is a fictional character who originated from a viral internet meme. The character is portrayed as a tall, thin, and faceless man in a black suit who goes around traumatizing people. Although he is fictitious, the Slender Man is causing teens to act dangerously. In 2014, two tween girls stabbed a classmate and claimed it was in an attempt to act on behalf of the Slender Man after reading about him online. Watch our Slender Man video.
Shell On Challenge
Age: 12+
The shell on challenge is a social media trend that is gaining popularity among students. Teens are challenging each other to eat food items still in their packaging. To partake in the challenge, teens will shoot a video of themselves eating something with the ‘shell on’ and then post that video on social media. It should be a red flag for parents if their child is doing this challenge to gain attention on social media. Watch our Shell On Challenge safety video.
Skullbreaker Challenge
Age: 10+
The Skullbreaker Challenge surfaced on TikTok in late 2019. Three people stand side-by-side. The two people on either end will trick the middle person into dancing or jumping with them to make a video. Then, they kick the unsuspecting person’s feet out from under him/her forcing the victim to fall on the ground. The prank is then posted to social media. There are reports of kids getting concussions or being hospitalized with other injuries after attempting this. Some students have also faced legal consequences for participating in the Skullbreaker Challenge. Watch our Skullbreaker Challenge safety video.
Tide Pod Challenge
Age: 12+
The Tide Pod Challenge encouraged students to consume a plastic laundry detergent pod and post a video of it to social media. At first the challenge started as a joke but now poison control centers are warning parents about this dangerous activity. The Tide Pod Challenge is incredibly dangerous. It’s essentially ingesting poison. Even if a student doesn’t eat the entire laundry detergent pod, just ingesting a tiny bit can lead to serious health repercussions. Watch our Tide Pod Challenge safety video.
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[…] media apps he considers safe for users age 13 and older, as well as those he thinks aren’t; find it here. Ochs discussed both lists in his local talks, but for listeners who forgot some or didn’t […]