1. Sometimes called Vault, anonymous or hidden apps. Hidden Apps allow youth to conceal data, images, and even other apps on their phone. Vault apps are used by using the icon of another app such as a calculator, camera, or notes. For more information read "How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones"
Exploring the Digital World: What You Need to Know About Apps, Gaming, AI/Chatbots and Misinformation
The internet is a big part of our lives, from streaming and gaming to using social media and AI tools. These platforms help us connect, learn, and have fun, but they also come with risks. Misinformation spreads quickly, vault apps can hide content, and AI can make it hard to tell what’s real. It’s important to understand how these tools work so we can stay safe, protect our privacy, and make smart choices online.
Users use YouTube to watch videos on various interests, create and upload videos and interact with creators. YouTube Kids is designed for kids under 13, offering age-appropriate videos, music and shows. Parents can curate content and set screen time limits.
- Something to Know: Users can be exposed to harmful or inappropriate content on YouTube. For younger children YouTube Kids can help reduce these risks but some inappropriate content may slip through. Parents can curate content and set screen time limits. For more information visit "Discover age-appropriate ways for your kids, pre-teens, and teens to explore YouTube."
Quick Video: What is Snap Chat?
Snapchat is a messaging app that lets users share pictures and videos ("snaps") that are meant to disappear after being viewed. Users can add filters, lenses, and effects to their snaps. The app is free, but also has a with a premium subscription plan called Snapchat+.
- Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old, however, youth can enter false information to bypass this requirement.
- The Myth of Disappearing Messages: Snaps are meant to disappear after being viewed, but someone can take screenshots using their phones or third-party apps. Screenshots from phones notify the sender, but those from third-party apps do not. It is important for youth to understand that what they post online does not disappear.
- Something to Know: Snap Map shows your real-time location to Snapchat friends. The main risk is having your location visible to all friends, including those who might not be real friends. It's safer to use Ghost Mode or turn Snap Map off. For more safety features visit Snap Chat’s Tools and Resources for Parents.
Source: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/parents-ultimate-guide-to-snapchat
Instagram is a social media platform that is used to share photos, videos, and messages to connect with friends, follow influencers, and explore trends. Youth may use the app to keep up with their peers, watch “reels” (short videos), and shape their online identity (curate).
- Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old but can enter false information to bypass this requirement.
- What’s a “finsta/ghost” account and should I be worried about it? A "finsta/ghost" (fake Instagram) account is a private account where teens post the real parts of their lives, unlike their main account. Finstas allow teens to share without judgment, avoid family watching, and escape the pressure to seem perfect. For more safety features visit Instagram’s Family Centre page.
Source: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/parents-ultimate-guide-to-instagram-2024
TikTok is a video-sharing app that has changed how teenagers make and watch content. It has become one of the most influential apps. It provides endless scrolling of short videos, lasting from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. This system aims to keep users, especially youth, engaged.
- Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old but can enter false information to bypass this requirement.
- Something to Know: Viral challenges on TikTok can pressure teens into risky behaviors. Also, “[m]ental health experts are concerned about TikTok's impact on teens, including body image issues, social comparison, and addictive use patterns.” For more safety features visit TikTok for Parents and Guardians.
Source: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/parents-ultimate-guide-to-tiktok-2024
Quick Video: What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online gaming platform where the user makes and shares their own games and play games made by other users.
- Age Requirement: Roblox doesn't have a strict age minimum, but it does use different ratings for game content:
- All Ages: Mild content, light fantasy violence.
- 9+: May include more fantasy violence.
- 13+: Contains more intense content and social interactions.
- 17+: Mature content, requiring age verification.
The ratings primarily focus on violence and may not fully cover other areas like explicit content, drug use, or crude humor.
- Something to Know: Roblox's chat features enable children to connect with friends but also allow interactions with strangers. Despite language filters, some users bypass language filters and see inappropriate content. Roblox now prevents kids under 13 from entering "Social Hangouts" to reduce unmonitored interactions. Also, there can be scams or pressure to buy Robux (in-game currency). Let your child know that any offer of "free Robux" is a scam. For more safety features visit Roblox Family Guide.
Source: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/parents-ultimate-guide-to-roblox-2024
Quick Video: What is Fortnite?
Fortnite is an action-strategy game (cartoonish) and has two modes: a solo version called Save the World and the multiplayer version called Battle Royale. Save the World- players are survivors of an apocalyptic storm that work together to defeat the zombies. Battle Royale- allows up to 100 people to participate in a match together. Players are put in a game map and must compete to be the last one standing by killing every other player.
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Something to Know: You can manage permissions for friend requests, voice and text chat, content ratings, and filters for mature language. Parents and caregivers can also set up passwords for in-game spending. For more safety features visit Fortnite Help Center.
Quick Video: What is Discord?
Discord lets people chat via text, voice, or video in real time. Servers are the main communities on Discord, often focused on a single game or topic (TV series, music, and more). It can also be an easy-to-use group-chatting tool for friends.
- Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old but can enter false information to bypass this requirement.
- Something to Know: When it comes to sites and apps with open chat like Discord, the safest way to use Discord is to only accept friend requests and participate in private servers with people you already know.
Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots and Companions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world we live in. From understanding, translating, analyzing and making recommendation to creating content like text, images and audio this advance tool has changed the way many people use their technology and has created new risks when online.
What is AI? It is a set of technologies that enables computers/apps to perform a variety of advanced functions typically requiring human involvement.
What is an AI Chatbots? They are computer programs or apps that use AI technology to respond to what you say in real time and interact in a human like way.
AI Chatbots are used by many online platforms as a first point of contact for questions and inquiries. Apps like Character AI and Replika allow users to sign up to have their own personalized AI companion focusing on emotional support and conversation. They also allow users to have romantic relationships.
AI Chatbot companions are also integrated into social media platforms and have had a direct impact on young people’s mental health, connections and expectations for relationships. Snapchat added My AI to the top right corner of every user’s friend pages. This feature is enabled for users and can only be removed if you have a paid subscription to Snap+. If set up, parents can disable this feature in the Snapchat family center. Snapchat’s My AI is available to users and is promoted as a chat conversation that can answer “burning trivia questions, offer advice on the perfect gift for you BFF’s birthday, help plan a hiking trip for a long weekend, or suggest what to make for dinner.” For more information visit: Snapchat managing My AI.
Read more about the risks that come with using chatbots in the resources below.
Spotting Misinformation
The endless content from news and social media platforms can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to tell what is accurate. The spread of misinformation and the increase of fraud, identity crimes and cybercrime are rapidly impacting an increasing proportion of Canadians.
Disinformation: is fake or misleading stories that are created and shared on purpose. It often comes with a personal, financial or political benefit.
Misinformation: is fake or misleading information that was not created or shared with the intent to mislead someone.
Some tips to help you spot misinformation and disinformation include:
- Identifying the source and who is sharing the content
- What type of content is it? Is it actual news or an ad?
- See who else is reporting the story or content
- Why is the content being shared
- Trusting your gut. If what you are reading or seeing affects your emotions, it could be a sign that something is not right.
Resource:
For trusted sources of up-to-date information, visit:
