Cyber Safety
Kik Messenger: a warning for parents
Popular messenger app Kik has increasingly come under fire recently due to widespread reports of child exploitation occurring via the app.
What is Kik Messenger?
The app functions similarly to other popular message apps such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, however the technology is much less refined meaning it’s very easily hacked and identity verification is non existent - which means anyone can create an account and communicate anonymously.
It’s also very popular amongst teens and kids for several reasons ..
- Users are allowed to create anonymous accounts
- Users don’t have to verify their age
- Parents who monitor their kids devices often overlook Kik, focusing on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat
- Kik has a built-in web browser, games, and video access, which makes it a self-contained social network where kids and teens can communicate with their peers privately.
A popular young person’s social media app that can be joined anonymously creates an environment where online predators can easily exploit their victims. Kik is now connected to hundreds of cases of grooming and child exploitation across Australia and the US. Predators are also creating spambots within the app, which are essentially computer generated accounts that automatically send information to other users - that they use to send child exploitation material to other users. Predators do this to desensitise their victims. There is also a significant amount of pornography on Kik, which is also distributed using spambots.
Our Cyber Experts rate this app as Unsafe for anyone under the age of 17 and therefore access is blocked on Family Zone protected devices.
Reference: https://www.familyzone.com/anz/families/blog/app-review-kik-messenger
Cyber Safety Hub
We are delighted to introduce you to a new resource made available to you through our partnership with Family Zone - our new school Cyber Safety Hub.
As you may already be aware, our partnership provides your family with access to the Family Zone tools to use at home with your children if you wish. The purpose of the Cyber Safety Hub is to complement those tools with practical guidance and information to further support you in engaging with your children in their digital development. These tools and resources also allow the school and parent body to work together on creating a holistic approach to guiding each student's online journey.
About the Parent Cyber Safety Hub
The Cyber Safety Hub includes resources to help your family better understand the different Family Zone tools available to you and how to use them, plus access to regular cyber safety events to help you stay informed about the latest digital trends.
Also, the Cyber Safety Hub provides expert advice from leading cyber experts, ySafe, on the most pertinent issues and frequently asked questions around platforms like TikTok, Fortnite, Instagram, and more. There are app reviews with age and safety recommendations, along with a range of guides to help ensure healthy boundaries around screen-time & gaming, plus step-by-step instructions for using parental controls and filtering out inappropriate content.
We are very excited to be able to offer you this level of expertise and support. We look forward to working closely with you as we develop the cyber safety conversation within our school community.