What Apps are Kids Using?
Young people are quick to join online communities, especially if their friends and peers are using the app. At Aberfeldie, we know that many students are using apps, including social media, that are aimed at older audiences.
Below are the most common apps that we see children accessing outside of school on their phones or iPads. Click on the headings to learn more about these apps and parental controls.
TikTok - Age 13+
TikTok is a social media app for creating and sharing short videos. Adult content such as drug use, extreme violence, self-harm, racist and discriminatory commentary, and sexual content can be accessed.
Snapchat - Age 13+
Snapchat is a messaging app that lets you send images, videos or instant text messages to friends. These images, videos and messages are only available for a short period of time once they are opened. Content posted to Snapchat is not as temporary as it may appear, as users can save chats or screenshot them without the sender knowing. There are also location features, where friends can see your current location. Adult and other sensitive content may also be accessed in the app and the app is known for sending and receiving nudes.
Instagram - Age 13+
Instagram is a social media service owned by Meta designed for people to share photos and videos. You can follow other profiles so they appear in your feed and your profile can also be followed by them. You can like and comment on each other’s posts and directly message other people.
Discord - Age 13+
Discord is a social chat platform commonly used by online gamers that is available on computers and mobile devices, and accessible via a web browser. It lets you create a profile and interact with other users via online messaging, voice or video chat. There are also open chat rooms, where children can easily indicate that they are 18. Although it's rare, predators have targeted kids by using Discord's public servers to send direct messages (DMs).
Fortnite - Age 13+
Fortnite is a third-person shooter game where up to 100 players compete to be the last person or team standing. You can compete alone or join a team of up to four. But the game's online chat feature—especially in Battle Royale mode—could expose younger players to offensive language or mature content from random strangers.
Roblox - Age 8+
Roblox is a game-creation platform that allows users to design their own games and play a wide variety of games created by other users. Users of any age can create and join groups, chat, and interact with others. Such an open approach can pose some risks to kids, especially younger ones. All chat is filtered, which means inappropriate language is replaced by symbols. Chatting for accounts of kids under 13 is more heavily filtered. Roblox also employs human monitors who keep an eye out for inappropriate language and content. Although Roblox has safety precautions in place, it remains a target for people with less-than-good intentions.
iMessage (Apple)
Apple's Messages app allows iOS users to send and receive both regular text messages and iMessages. Messages sent and received in "blue chat bubble" format are iMessages where as messages sent and received with "green chat bubble" formatting are regular text messages. Messages app features include the ability to send photos and videos as well as the option to initiate group text message conversations. Whilst Messages is quite safe, children still need to have the skills to manage online interactions, recognize dangerous or unwanted contact, and manage the peer pressure that can come from group chats. See the 'group chat' section for more information.