Being a teen is great because it means new privileges, but not all privileges are good privileges! There are certain apps teenagers shouldn't download, either because they're dangerous, too mature, or simply a distraction from schoolwork! Although you should have fun using social media and enjoying the innovations of this generation, if you're a teen, make sure you don't download these apps.
1. Yik Yak
Yik Yak is really more of a college app, so it isn't one teenagers should be downloading anyway. However, when teens do download this app, they tend to use it for evil, not for good. Yik Yak is an app like twitter, only local and anonymous. You can see "yaks" from around the globe, but only comment on "yaks" within a 5-mile radius of your location. Many teenagers use Yik Yak to bully other students from their school, gossip, and simply talk about mature topics in a vulgar manner. This app is an unhealthy distraction from schoolwork as well as a medium for bullying-definitely not something you should be spending your time on!
2. Ask.fm
Ask.fm is another popular location for cyber bullying. On ask.fm, you can ask anonymous questions on someone's profile. But instead of using this to ask about homework or make casual conversation, many people use it to verbally harass others. If you have an account, you may be bullied. Even if no one bullies you, you'll read rumors about your peers and maybe even be tempted to join in on the bullying.
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3. Snapchat
My biggest issue with Snapchat is that it's a huge distraction! On Snapchat, you can send 10 second photos or videos to your friends as well as watch others'. It sounds harmless, but you might get addicted and find yourself snapchatting everything from your breakfast in the morning to you brushing your teeth at night! Not only is it a waste of time, Snapchat may also lead to unwanted "sexting" when someone takes a snapersation too far!
4. Whisper
Whisper allows you to create virtual, anonymous greeting card-type messages. In a way, it's a great place to vent and whisper your secrets to the world. But, as we've learned with Ask.fm and Yik Yak, anonymous+teens= big mistake! People can reply to your anonymous postings, and there's no telling what sort of awful things they'll come up with!
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5. Kik Messenger
The danger with Kik begins with a lack of privacy. Many teens post their "kikme" names on social media, then, essentially, anyone can "kik" you, and you might begin getting creepy or threatening messages from strangers. Kik isn't too bad if you keep your username private, but in my opinion, it's always better to be safe than sorry!
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6. Tinder
Tinder might be known as dating for the new generation. On Tinder, if you like someone's picture, and they like yours too, a conversation opens between you. There are more than a few flaws with this app. For starters, it makes it seem like relationships are based solely on physical appearance instead of intellect and personality. Secondly, the person you start a conversation with may be vulgar, rude, pushy, or violent. Also, Tinder's main purpose has become hooking up, rather than dating, which can lead to dangerous situations if you're just looking for a date and he's looking for something else.
7. Vine
Vine is generally harmless, because it is pretty well-regulated, although there is always a chance of you seeing an inappropriate video. Vine is an app that streams short, usually comical videos. The biggest danger here is simply that it's time-consuming! You'd be surprised by how difficult it is to stop watching a bunch of LOL-worthy videos!
Don't get me wrong, I don't recommend swearing off of social media entirely! But, as a teenage girl, there are certain apps you should avoid, either for safety reasons, time reasons, or both! What other apps should be adults-only?
Comments
Sophiexcx: I mean teen
Cindy: Tell it like it is, teenagers still need to be protected.
The: To be honest, I hate Kik. I checked it about once a week and I would always get messages from some random perv. There are better free texting apps, like WhatsApp.
Ashtaroot: Well well.... Guess what guys... I'm 14 and I don't even have a cell phone , I have an iPad ... My parents say that I don't even need a cell phone ... Not fair :/
Sherri: Sadly cyber bullying and harassment is a real issue and I'm not saying only teenagers do it or should be aware of it but the internet is unfiltered and anonymous and I think the article is well intentioned but also that these apps like any other social media apps if used responsibly shouldn't be a problem.
Mystique: It just depends on the teen, kik is completely fine when you don't give out your kik to strangers and you just talk to your friend. Snapchat is fine you just have to be careful not to put anything sexual. Teens don't really care about things like this, a lot of people are smart enough to know what to post and if the parents didn't teach their kids better then it's their fault too.
Jenn203: Kik is not that bad, teens shouldn't be posting private stuff on the most available social media then blame it on other people... A lot of middle school kids have Kik and its not harmful
KarahD: I'm not sure if kik still has them but there used to be chat rooms that a lot of teens used. Someone I know got on one and got a ton of messages from people and she didn't even post anything on there. She just looked at it. She got innocent messages,
Ellie: This is absolutely ridiculous, you make it sound like teenagers have no social lives to distract them, that all teenagers are bullies, that they all abuse or become addicted to these apps, and you make it sound like they've never heard of sex or something, you sound like you think teenagers are way more innocent and naive than they are
Papa_gee: I truly think it just depends on the teen. If the teen is a bully should they really be on any websites or have any social contact? Some teens are nicer and more mature than some adults. We can't base this on age it should be based on maturity. Adults even find themselves in some of the same situations. With tinder that can happen with two grown people an they still might not know how to handle it. Also on whisper the short time I had it I would comment nice and supportive things so you can't just generalize all teens as rude bullies.
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