Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app, from Facebook. It’s built for kids and designed to give parents more control. Messenger Kids can be a starting point for a student’s first social media account, but parents should be aware of data and privacy concerns.
Digital Citizenship Blog at SmartSocial.com
Marco Polo: App Guide for Parents and Educators
The Marco Polo app is a popular messaging app that lets friends send messages back and forth like a walkie talkie- but with video. The app’s privacy policy raises some concerns about the information collected on the app.
Houseparty App Review For Parents of Teens (Is It Safe?)
Learn how students are using this video chat app and what you can do as a parent or educator to monitor who they are talking to.
Dr. Rady Rahban and the Ripple Effect of Social Media Beauty Filters
Dr. Rady Rahban sees first hand how social media beauty filters affect how students see themselves. As a plastic surgeon, he makes sure his clients get plastic surgery for the right reasons, not just to look like their favorite celebrity.
Cyber Safety, Smartphones, and… Garfield?
The nonprofit Center for Cyber Safety and Education teaches innovative online safety lessons. Read three tips from the organization’s Director for keeping your kids safe, no matter what apps or mobile devices they are using.
Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok Social Media Mental Health Initiatives. Are They Enough?
Several social media apps have announced plans to promote mental health initiatives, aimed at helping kids to stay mentally safe online. Some educators and mental health experts weigh in.
What is the GroupMe app and is it Safe?
GroupMe is a messaging app where users can send group or private messages from their computer or phone using WiFi. Learn how this app works and why some students are getting into trouble using it.
Got TikTok, Snapchat or Instagram Questions? Join Our Monthly Live Events
Each year, Smart Social reaches more than a million parents, educators, and students around the world. Our safety tools keep families safe from online dangers and teach students how to use social media with a purpose, instead of just as a pastime.
Celebrate National Day of Unplugging on March 6th – 7th, 2020
When learning how to balance screen time, one of the best things a student can do is take small breaks from technology. So, we are celebrating National Day of Unplugging which is a holiday that is celebrated by taking a 24 hour break from technology on March 6th to 7th, 2020.
Facetune App: Is this Safe for Kids?
The Facetune app makes it easy to edit or retouch photos, but team at Smart Social thinks there are dangerous consequences for teens who regularly use the Facetune app to modify their photos for social media.
Teen Social Media Statistics 2020 (What Parents Need to Know)
The latest social media statistics from Common Sense Media shed light on teens’ changing social media habits. It will come as no surprise to many parents that teen social media has increased dramatically. Understanding the trends of teen social media use will help your student build a positive digital footprint.
The Positive Impact of Using Social Media Together as a Family
Wondering how can families incorporate technology in a positive way to make a connection between parents and children? We asked some parents and experts for ideas and tips for incorporating technology into family time.
Skullbreaker Challenge (aka Trip Jump): Dangerous New Social Media Prank
Some students are tripping others in an attempt to get more laughs and likes on TikTok and YouTube. But, the Skullbreaker Challenge or Trip Jump Challenge is landing some students in the hospital – and others are facing legal consequences from this potentially deadly online prank.
Hoop App: Earning Rewards to Meet Strangers
The Hoop app makes it easier than ever for students to meet strangers on Snapchat. Users are rewarded for making as many new connections as possible.
Is It Too Late to Establish Smartphone and Social Media Guidelines?
Josh Ochs’ advice to parents about setting up smartphone and social media guidelines for teenagers. These are his four most important tips he wants all parents to hear.
HOLLA App vs. HOLA App: Why Both are Dangerous for Students
Both the HOLLA app and HOLA app allow people to video chat with random strangers around the world. While many conversations might stay innocent, users report widespread profanity and lewd behavior on both apps.
The Negative Impact of TikTok on Teens
TikTok is a fun and creative outlet for users to post videos, but some of the content users post contain explicit language, suggestive themes, and lewd gestures. Smart Social recommends parents monitor their student’s use of the app both for what they view and what they post.
LINE App: Avatars, Stickers, and Hidden Chats
The LINE app allows users to chat for free, make new friends, and play in a social media network filled with cute stickers and avatars. But the Smart Social team wants parents to know some important safety settings for any student using LINE.
Why Every Family Needs a Password Manager
While many families don’t think they have anything worth “hacking” — that couldn’t be further from the truth. Having a password manager drastically reduces the possibility of your family becoming the victim of ransomware, identity theft, malware, phishing, and other cyber attacks.
‘My Daughter was Cyberbullied on Snapchat’ Warns Mom
One mom has a warning for parents after her teenager was cyberbullied on Snapchat. Learn how parents can prevent this from happening to their kids.