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Fizz App Guide (2024): What Parents Need to Know

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May 13, 2024

Unlock this lesson to learn what you can do to keep kids safe on the Fizz app

In this guide, parents & educators will learn:

  • Why the Fizz app is gaining popularity with students
  • Why parents should care about the Fizz app
  • Tips to keep student safe while using the Fizz app

Learn why parents and educators should care about the Fizz app

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Fizz App Guide (2024): What Parents Need to Know

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The Fizz app was founded by students for students. While it originally launched as an app for college students, it is now moving into high schools nationwide. This student app promotes the idea that students can connect with their community “safely, authentically, & vibrantly.” 

Parents, however, have concerns as the Fizz app allows users to share content anonymously. Apps that include anonymous posts always come with concerns about potential cyberbullying and inappropriate content, so it is important for parents to be aware of their child’s online activity and regularly discuss responsible social media use.

Educators and parents: Guide your students' reflection and discussion with this student worksheet. (Log in to your Google account and select File-->Make a Copy)

What is the Fizz app?

  • The Fizz app (formerly known as Buzz) is a social media platform designed originally for college students but now being used by high school students as well
  • The app encourages students to connect with peers in their school community by sharing messages, photos, polls, and memes with the option to upvote or downvote content
  • Fizz was started by former Stanford students and as of February 2024 was being used on over 80 college campuses nationwide (Source: New School Free Press)

Parent Training Video

What do parents need to know about the Fizz app?

  • Students are required to use their school email address and select their school to create an account and verify their association with the school
  • Once students create an account, they are unable to change their school for 7 days
  • Currently, there are no in-app parental controls so parents should use the parental controls built in to their child’s phone

Is the Fizz app safe?

  • Posts on the Fizz app can be anonymous, which creates the potential for bullying and inappropriate content to be shared without consequence
  • Students are hired as moderators in an attempt to keep the app free from hate speech and other dangerous content
  • There have been several security breaches on the platform in recent history and situations where user information was not adequately protected, so individual privacy was at risk (Source: Stanford Daily

Examples of the Fizz app in the news

Fizz app raises concerns about privacy and harassment
Multiple students have posted photos of UR senior Caitlin Sales walking with her boyfriend without her consent. Sales, who is frequently called ‘pikachu hat girl’ by Fizz users, said that when the posts started to appear she was flattered that people thought she and her boyfriend were a cute couple, and that the campus liked her signature Pikachu hat. As more posts were shared about her, she started to feel uncomfortable. 

People just started taking pictures of me without my consent, just out of nowhere, as I'm leaving class or going to class, and it felt very paparazzi style. - The Collegian, Richmond, VA
Toxicity festers on Fizz since launch

Initially seen as a way for people to connect on campus, Fizz, a new social media app where students can discuss university-related topics anonymously, has harbored a space for toxicity and negativity, according to past moderators and users. - The Rider News, Lawrenceville, NJ

Why do students want to be on the Fizz app?

  • Fizz encourages students to connect with their local school community and markets itself as a place where students can vent and share information
  • Anonymous posts give students a place to vent without fear of repercussions 
  • Fizz has similar functionality to Reddit since users can ‘upvote’ or ‘downvote’ a post to express whether or not they like it

What can parents & educators do?

More resources for parents, students, & educators

Conclusion

The Fizz app is gaining popularity among students, and while there are some very basic safety features in place, the risk of an app that allows anonymous posts is high. We recommend that students avoid this app in high school and only use it as college students if strict safety precautions are taken. 

Parents should discuss the Fizz app with their children and have open conversations about responsible social media use and appropriate digital boundaries. It is essential to stay aware of the apps your children are using and keep the lines of communication open in order to help teens have positive online experiences. Even if your child is not using the Fizz app, they may have friends who are, so we recommend staying informed of the risks and discussing it openly as a family.

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School Districts: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

Unlock this lesson to learn what you can do to keep kids safe on the Fizz app

In this guide, parents & educators will learn:

  • Why the Fizz app is gaining popularity with students
  • Why parents should care about the Fizz app
  • Tips to keep student safe while using the Fizz app

Learn why parents and educators should care about the Fizz app

Log in or join the VIP membership today to view all SmartSocial.com resources about anonymous apps!

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

StarStarStarStarStar

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

Learn more

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