Digital media and apps allow children to communicate and express their creativity, connect with peers, and share their feelings. However, they can be an avenue through which cyberbullying occurs. There are many types of apps and sites available for free that give users the ability to search for people and share or post information about them anonymously.
Parents and caregivers may not be aware of the apps that their children use regularly or may not be aware of the risks involved in using them. There are many ways that cyberbullying can be hidden in apps and sites, such as texts, videos, and web calls that disappear or do not appear on the device’s call or text message logs.
Many apps also make it easy for users to access, view or participate in adult or harmful content. Privacy and location settings may make children more vulnerable to stalking, cyberbullying, exposure to adult content, or other dangers.
Social media and content sharing apps
- BeReal: A social app that prompts users to share a real-time photo once per day.
- Facebook and Facebook Messenger Kids: Platforms that let users share posts, photos, videos, and messages, and connect with friends and family.
- Instagram: An app for sharing photos and videos and interacting with others through likes, comments, and messages.
- Reddit: A site where users join communities to share content, ask questions, and discuss topics with others.
- Snapchat: An app for sending photos and videos that disappear after they are viewed.
- Substack: A platform where people can publish and subscribe to newsletters and written content.
- Tumblr: A site where users post short blogs, images, and videos and follow others’ content.
- TikTok: An app for creating and sharing short videos, often set to music or trends. Users may also communicate through direct messages (DMs).
- X: A platform where users post and interact with short messages, images, and links.
- YouTube and YouTube Kids: Platforms for watching, creating, and sharing videos, with YouTube Kids designed for younger audiences.
Popular messaging and communications apps
- Discord: An app that lets users chat by text, voice, or video in private messages or group servers.
- Kik: A messaging app that allows users to chat with others, often without sharing a phone number.
- Telegram: A messaging app for sending texts, photos, videos, and files, with options for private or disappearing messages.
- WeChat: An app that combines messaging, social networking, and location-based connections.
- WhatsApp: A messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, videos, and make calls over the internet.
Popular gaming and live-streaming apps
- Fortnite: An online game where players compete or collaborate and can talk with others using voice or text chat.
- Minecraft: A game where players build, explore, and interact in shared virtual worlds.
- Roblox: A platform where users can play and create games and interact with others online.
- Steam: A platform for buying, playing, and connecting with others through video games.
- Twitch: A platform where users watch and interact with live-streamed gaming and other content.
- YouTube Gaming: A section of YouTube focused on gaming videos and live streams.
Popular AI companion apps
- Buddy.ai: An AI app designed to help children learn through interactive conversations.
- CHAI: An app that lets users chat with AI-powered characters.
- Character.AI: A platform where users create and talk with AI characters.
- Kindroid: An AI companion app that simulates personalized conversations.
- Miko 3 and Miko Mini: AI-powered robots that interact with children through conversation and activities.
- Nomi: An AI companion app designed for ongoing, personalized conversations.
- Replika: An AI chatbot that learns from conversations and acts as a virtual companion.
- Sonia: An AI app that offers coaching-style conversations and support.
Apps with anonymous, hidden, or live features
- Calculator%: A “vault” or secret app that appears harmless, but hides photos, videos, files, and browser history.
- YUBO: An app referred to as the “Tinder for teens” that allows users to swipe right or left to accept or reject the profiles of other users.
- There are numerous sites that allow users to instantly connect via webcam and video chat. Sites typically pair the users randomly and instantly. Popular apps include Omegle, Chatroulette, MeetMe, and ChatRandom.
Risks to children associated with apps
Social media has many benefits that must be balanced with the risks it presents. Risks to be aware of include:
- Content posting, screening, and moderation concerns
- Content posted can be incorrect, harmful, or hurtful.
- Regulation of and screening for harmful content on websites and apps varies widely by platform.
- Some apps and platforms can be used to share explicit or adult content.
- Apps and platforms can have no moderator for chats, groups, and forums that allow all types of content to be posted or shared.
- Privacy Concerns
- Privacy controls over who can view or access posted material vary across platforms, and many users are not aware of how to use them effectively.
- Some apps that include location information can be used to get personal information, such as someone’s age, current location, or where someone lives.
- Apps that support telephone calls do not show up on a call log, so parents may not know who their children are talking to.
- Interactions with bad actors:
- Some apps and platforms can include users of all ages and allow children to connect with adults who may use fear and intimidation for harm.
- Apps that allow for real-time user videos “live streaming” can been used to show bullying, violence, suicide, and harmful acts as they are happening.
Parents and caregivers can search online for organizations that provide in-depth reviews of apps, platforms and games used by children to learn more about them. By learning about the risks, important security features, and other details about the apps, platforms, and games children want to use, parents can make an informed decision about how or if their child will use them.
Preventing cyberbullying in the Digital Age
Digital platforms can be a powerful way to connect with others, but it can also be a space for harmful behavior like cyberbullying.
How to Prevent Cyberbullying: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Youth: This guide offers practical tips and resources to help parents, caregivers, and youth recognize, prevent, and respond to cyberbullying effectively.
The Center of Excellence on Social Media & Youth Mental Health: a hub for evidence-based education and technical assistance to support the mental health of children and adolescents as they navigate social media.
YouVille: A free educational resource designed to help kids 8-12 learn about privacy and online safety, digital citizenship, understanding advertising, and spotting scams.