What parents needs to know about evolving mobile apps
MARTINSVILLE, Ind (WISH) – As teens turn to smart devices, one local sheriff department has created a course to help parents stay ahead.
Pew Research Center studies show a majority of teens own a smart phone, making staying informed tricky for some parents.
“My grandkids are always like, ‘Put this on grandma, you’ll love this thing,’” Pat Hill, a grandmother, explained. “What is it? And then they have to explain it to me, because I’m not aware of it.”
To help parents, Morgan County Sheriff Captain Brent Worth developed a class called Social Media Goes Bad.
“Social media applications are evolving very rapidly,” Worth said.
Twenty-five people attended the class Tuesday. Attendees learned about a number of apps, including Yik Yak, Whisper and Ask FM. Those apps and others let teens create anonymous profiles.
“They come into the conversation thinking that whoever they’re talking to won’t know who they are or where they’re located,” Worth explained.
But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t keep things private. “Potentially, there is other ways that they can be tracked that leaves them vulnerable,” Worth said.
There are some warning signs parents should look for. For example, if your child uses a phone or computer in a closed room for hours.
If they hide a device when you walk in. If they look for buzz words predators use in online conversations, including “modeling” and “private.”
Law enforcement says apps are being made for parents too. Teen Safe allows parents to not only monitor the apps their kids are looking at, but also receive notifications of what they’re doing on social media.
And if you’re struggling to keep up, deputies say not to feel bad. “Technology is advancing so much faster then what we can keep up with,” Worth said. “So we’re always playing a little bit of a catch-up.”
If you missed Tuesday’s forum, there will be another one Feb. 25 in Greenwood from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Greenwood Christian Church at 2045 Averitt Road.
The forums are free. If you plan to attend, organizers ask that you RSVP by clicking here. Or you can contact djones@iyi.org.
