App Academy

Keeping our kids safe.

Knowledge is power. Learn about popular mobile applications below.

YouTube.

What is it? The most popular video streaming site and application.
Why teens like it? Teens can upload and watch videos.
Parental concerns? Some videos contain pornographic material.
Set up free YouTube app restrictions by clicking here.
Set up free YouTube desktop restrictions by clicking here.
Check your child's YouTube search history by clicking here.

Ask.fm

What is it? Ask.fm is an anonymous question & answer app.
Why teens like it? Teens enjoy the ability to answer and ask anonymous silly questions.
Parental concerns? The app has a history of abuse and bullying. Some news sources report teen suicides related to ask.fm. Teens can also post pictures containing lewd and pornographic material.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.

Snapchat

What is it? A messaging app that allows teens to set a time limit on the pictures and videos they send to friends.
Why teens like it? Teens enjoy sending private pictures and videos to friends.
Parental concerns? The app has been nicknamed "The sexting app." It has a history of abuse and bullying. Teens can post pictures containing lewd and pornographic material.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.

Tumblr

What is it? A social media app that allows teens to post content related to their interests.
Why teens like it? Teens enjoy having their own digital space and discovering new interests.
Parental concerns? The app and website contain hardcore pornography. Teens have instant access to pornographic material without leaving a search history.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.

Instagram

What is it? A social media app that allows teens to post pictures and short videos. Users can comment on other user's pictures.
Why teens like it? Teens enjoy having their own digital space and sharing pictures with friends.
Parental concerns? The app and website contain hardcore pornography. If the teen's account is not set to "private" strangers have access to your child's pictures and videos.
Set up basic restrictions within the Instagram App by clicking here.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.

Kik

What is it? A messaging app that allows teens to send pictures and videos to friends.
Why teens like it? Teens enjoy sending pictures and videos to friends. It also allows teens to anonymously contact new people.
Parental concerns? Sexual predators have used the anonymity of Kik to prey on minors. The app also has a built in web browser, which may allow teens to access pornographic websites without leaving a search history.
Click here to see Kik's official parent guide.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.

Whisper

What is it? An anonymous app that allows teens to confess their secrets online.
Why teens like it? Teens enjoy confessing things to others and reading other confessions.
Parental concerns? Much of the content is sexual or related to drugs and alcohol. Explicit language is often used.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.

What is it? A popular app used for messaging, video calls, voice calls, group messaging, and sending pictures. This app uses WiFi instead of cellular data.
Why teens like it? Teens enjoy using the features of a cell phone without using cellular data. It allows them to send text messages without being tracked by the phone company.
Parental concerns? Although contacts must be verified by the user, parents should monitor this app because it can act like a secret phone within their child's phone.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.

Down Dating

What is it? A hook-up app that allows teens and adults to meet for dates and hook-ups.
Why teens like it? Teens like being rated by others.
Parental concerns? The app changed its name from "Bang with Friends" to "Down." The user views another user's profile and selects whether they want to "get down" or "get date" with them. The app links with Facebook, which makes it very accessible to teens.
Block this app on iPhone and iPad by clicking here.