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.
Digital Citizenship Blog at SmartSocial.com
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.
BitLife App: Should My Student Play It?
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. Students are exposed to mature ideas throughout the game, including sex, drugs, and violence.
Bark Investigation: How Predators Contact Kids Online
Ever wonder what dangers your kids are exposed to on social media? A 37 year-old mom recently went undercover to find out. Learn the dangers and how to protect your kids.
Why Every Family Needs a Social Media Agreement
A smartphone and social media agreement can help families create healthy internet habits and set clear boundaries anytime a new device is brought into the home.
10 Ways to Stay Safe When You Travel
Smart Social wants your kids to be safe online – at home, school, and on vacation. We asked some experts for the best travel hacks to keep your family and home safe. Tips for your home, your devices, and your personal information.
YouTube App: How to Make it Safer For Students
YouTube app users add new videos each day, at an astonishing rate, making it challenging to keep unsuitable content away from kids. It’s a fantastic source for education and entertainment, but the Smart Social team wants parents to know the potential for danger is also limitless on the YouTube app.
Negative Effects of Snapchat for Teens
RSPH and the Young Health Movement published a report called #StatusOfMind, which examines the positive and negative effects of social media on young people’s health. Snapchat is ranked as the second worst app for teen mental health. In this video, learn the negative effects of Snapchat for teens and tweens.
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.
Signal App: Is it Safe for Kids?
Signal is a free private messaging app that promises privacy for users through end-to-end encryption. Users can text and make phone calls and video calls using the Signal app. This guide will tell you if the Signal app, which is widely used among security experts, is safe for your kids.
Instagram App Guide For Parents & Teachers (And New Features)
Instagram is one of the most popular apps for teens. And more than 1 billion users worldwide are now logging on to share photos, videos, and stories. But is it safe for your family? Click here to read our complete guide to Instagram.
Social Media Safety Fox 8 Cleveland News Segment: What Parents Should Know
Talking with your kids about social media safety is an important step towards making sure they are safe and happy online.
Social Media Hiatus: 5 Lessons Learned
A social media detox can empower kids and change them in positive ways. In this guest blog post, the director and owner of a tech-free community service summer program for teens shares some of the lessons that can be learned during a social media hiatus.
Beware: Fachat App Is like the New Chatroulette
The Fachat app lets strangers around the world pay to video chat with one another. The main goal of the app is for strangers to talk to each other, which makes Fachat incredibly dangerous for students.
The Negative Effects of Social Media for Teens
RSPH and the Young Health Movement (YHM) have published a new report, #StatusOfMind, examining the positive and negative effects of social media on young people’s health. Learn how social media can negatively effect children’s ability to sleep, trigger anxiety, increase body image issues, and what you can do to help.
MeetMe App: Too Dangerous for Kids
MeetMe connects strangers based on similar interests and locations. Users can private message, live stream, and set up in-person dates. They can also exchange gifts and money through the app. Police have warned that predators use MeetMe. The Smart Social team believes it’s way too risky for young users.
Call of Duty Mobile: Is the App Safe for Kids?
Call of Duty is one of the most popular video games of all time. Now millions of gamers are taking their violent, multiplayer battles on the go. There are several potential dangers for kids that parents should know about the new Call of Duty mobile app.
20 Easy Tips for Using Social Media Responsibly
Negative social media use can lead to some serious consequences, like missed job opportunities or college rejections. Read these tips from social media safety experts to teach kids how to stay safe, positive, and responsible whenever they go online.
Kahoot App: What Parents Need to Know
The Kahoot app makes learning fun. Teachers love it and kids do, too. We’ve thoroughly researched the Kahoot app and found all the great features– and some negative ways some students are now using it to cheat and cause classroom chaos. Our comprehensive guide has everything parents need to know.