Advanced Social Media Is Something to Worry About The Dangers of Kik Messenger With all of the new social media options available, it’s important to keep in mind the safety of children who use social media apps. Teens and younger kids can use these apps with very little supervision. The further we advance in social media, the more vulnerable we become, and we need to be aware of that. Kik messaging, also called “Kik,” is one of these apps to watch out for. Kik is a messaging app that offers more anonymity than regular texting. While many messenger apps use phone numbers as identifiers, Kik users can create usernames that are more difficult to trace. Because of this increased anonymity, Kik has become such a popular sexting platform that the app’s name is now synonymous with the practice. The main function of the app is to create one-on-one chats, group chats (with up to 49 other users), anonymous chats, and promoted chats that enable you to send messages, pictures, videos, and GIFs. This allows users to chat and to follow different brands in music, entertainment, and more. Kik also offers internal apps through its browser to encourage users to remain within the app itself. These internal apps include sticker apps, meme generators, games, and dating-style apps such as Match & Chat and Flirt! They work in a way similar to Tinder, matching users by factors such as age and gender. What’s worrying about this process is the ease with which a user can chat to other users of any age group. For example, users can choose to chat with teen users. Besides the potential risks from using Kik’s dating-style apps, there are other dangers to watch out for. These can include cyberbullying, viewing or sharing inappropriate content, and chatting with strangers — all of which are easily done through Kik. To help avoid these problems, rules should be put into place to keep your child safe. Only share data with people you trust in real life, block/report unwanted contacts, think before you click, and report any inappropriate messages to a trusted adult. As with other social networking and messaging apps, users must be at least 13 to register for Kik. If your child is under 13 and has made an account, the app encourages a deactivation request by contacting their website. Parents need to be aware of the apps on their children’s phones. While there are all sorts of apps out there, this one requires constant vigilance.
When Your Teen Wants to Start Dating Parents often feel pretty antsy when their teens want to date. It’s fun and exciting for the teen, but there are plenty of reasons for parents to worry. But don’t feel hopeless in this situation. Take the initiative to let your child know you’re there for them. Below are a few tips that can help keep your teen safe while respecting their individuality. COMMUNICATION Open communication between you and your teen can help immensely. When your teen expresses an interest in dating, sit down and talk with them about it in a comfortable environment. It may be a little awkward, but letting your child know they can talk to you about dating will help them feel more at ease. Let your teen know they can always come to you, even if they have something unpleasant or uncomfortable to share. RULES ON DATING When your teen starts to date, there’s nothing wrong with setting up a few rules. Putting an age restriction and a curfew in place is a good start. Come up with a time that both you and your teen can agree on. Deciding when your teen should date is a bit more complicated. If you believe your teen shows signs of maturity and you’re comfortable letting them date, now is a good time to start a conversation about it. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teens should be allowed to have one-on-one dates sometime after the age of 16. Dr. Ron Eager, a pediatrician at Denver Health Medical Center, points out that there is an enormous difference between a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old in terms of life experience and maturity levels. APPROPRIATE DATE SPOTS If your teen seems unsure of where to go on a date, suggest some places you feel comfortable with. This is a good way to encourage safe and age-appropriate activities that both individuals can enjoy. Some possibilities include the zoo, a movie, dinner, bowling, ice skating, go-karting, or an amusement park. These kinds of activities encourage a comfortable, fun environment that may help ease nerves for both you and your teen. Creating a comfortable parent-child relationship that encourages a teen to turn to you for help and guidance is the first step toward keeping them as safe as you can.
2 Berlin Law Firm • 918-770-0172
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs