StreetChat App Parent Guide

NOTE: This app is no longer available in the iOS App Store or on Google Play.

Parent & educator training video

What is the StreetChat app?

StreetChat is a similar to another anonymous app called Yik Yak. It’s a live photo-sharing board designed for middle school, high school and college students. Unlike the Yik Yak app, StreetChat doesn’t require access to your location. The app asks you to choose the school campus board you want to post on (or browse photos photos on).

Unlike the AfterSchool App, on StreetChat you don’t need to be a student of the chosen school - and you can change the schools every 24 hours in the app. Users can see posts from people at their school, other local campuses or from users from around the world.

As StreetChat boards are connected to school’s and college’s campuses, students often mention real people

Users can post pictures with captions on the chosen board. The StreetChat App encourages its users to posts pictures and live photos captured by their cameras, as well as pictures that are already in their phones. Most of the time users are trying to be funny with their posts. They write jokes about their school lives or the world around them. As boards are connected to school’s and college’s campuses, students often mention real people (other students, teachers, or friends) in their captions.

Why do students like the StreetChat app?

The StreetChat app doesn’t require users to reveal their real names or verify accounts via phone or email

To create an account on StreetChat app you can choose a unique username. The app doesn’t require users to reveal their real names or verify accounts via phone or email. Students like the app because of the of false sense of privacy, freedom and the anonymity it creates.

StreetChat engages its users by using "gamification" techniques

• To make the StreetChat app more exciting, its creators gamified the app
• To make the StreetChat app more exciting, its creators gamified the app. Each campus board has a users score board. Users can compete with each other in popularity by collecting “karma” points
• To collect points you have to post pictures. Other users can vote “up” your posts if they like them and vote “down” if they don’t (using buttons in the lower right of the image)
• The StreetChat app creators want users to capture the world around them
• Each “like” brings you karma points and puts you higher on the leaderboard
• For posting real time photos (taken by your phone camera) you collect more points than for using memes or downloaded pictures. The app creators want users to capture the world around them (people and places from their campuses)
• Posting inappropriate photos on StreetChat app will get your account suspended from using the app for several days

StreetChat restrictions

• Age 14+
• Posting inappropriate photos will get your account suspended from using the app for several days
• The app encourages users to vote down or report any bullying or nudity

StreetChat concerns

Students feel more freedom in sending mean posts since this app isn’t tied to their real identity.

• Cyberbullying - The StreetChat app is tied to location, so students often use real names of their classmates or teachers in their posts or jokes
• Anonymous - Kids feel more freedom in sending mean posts since this app isn’t tied to their real identity
• Private messaging - The app also has a private messaging option. Usernames are not verified, so you never can be sure who you’re talking to

StreetChat is very similar to the anonymous app: Yik Yak (which causes a lot of trouble on campuses nationwide)

What can teachers and parents do to keep students safe?

1. StreetChat is very similar to the anonymous app: Yik Yak (which causes a lot of trouble on campuses nationwide)
2. We recommend you have your kids delete the StreetChat app (and not let them visit the website)
3. If your kids have this app - have a conversation with them immediately about their app usage

Explain to your students that they should not talk to strangers online (just like in real life)

1. Explain to your kids that they should not talk to strangers online (just like in real life)
2. Explain that online services are not completely anonymous. Their information can become public and can be tracked by authorities
3. Ask kids to not share their real names, age, phone number or address with people they don’t know
4. Discuss bullying issues. Tell your kids that they can always come to you if they have a problem or a concern

Comment bellow if you have more questions or share the app you have the most concerns about.