Social media can be an exciting way to connect and communicate with others. It offers a platform for creative expression and active participation in modern culture. However, social media can also present adolescents with new challenges and dangers. We advocate active participation with responsible digital citizenship. We hope these resources will help parents be informed of some current trends and applications that have captured the interest of many adolescents.
Popular App Guide for Parents and Teachers
https://safesmartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/?goal=0_40b34a3ccb-df5f48e86b-195863829
Digital Wisdom:Popular App Guide for Parents and Teachers
In this guide we walk you through the "green zone" (apps that are less dangerous), the "gray zone" (the place where some students want to hang out, but could cause trouble) and the "red zone" (very bad apps that allow strangers to communicate with your students). This resource is updated each month to include the latest videos.
GREEN ZONE: Here are the few apps we consider to be less dangerous for Teens and Tweens.
The internet can be a dangerous place for teens. However, we feel these apps are the “lesser of three evils” as they can be used to help a student (14+ years of age) shine online to impress colleges and future employers. When used wisely with our social media formula, these apps will help your students adjust their Google results to create a portfolio of positive online accomplishments. If your students want to have a profile on these networks/apps, please consider having a dialog with them and knowing that these networks are the place to start on social media. At the bottom of this page we list bad apps (red zone) that we suggest you not allow your kids to access/have/use.
GREY ZONE: These apps can be fun (and dangerous) for your Teens and Tweens.
We recommend you have a dialog with your kids about Sexting and inappropriate content if your kids have these apps. Although some people are very scared of Snapchat, we are not against it (since there are way worse apps that your kids could be using). We suggest every parent put in the time each month to have a dialog with their kids about the apps they are using. This is the best way to keep your kids safe (not by restricting the kids, but by talking with them).
RED ZONE: ANONYMOUS APPS – Here are the apps we consider to NOT be safe for Teens and Tweens.
These are the apps we do not recommend for Teens or Tweens. These apps usually have inappropriate and unmoderated content. Also, they lend themselves to cyberbullying. Often, these apps are anonymous and will encourage students to behave in a way we have never seen before. When students use an app in anonymous mode (without it being tied to their real identity) they tend to behave badly. They are also more prone to bullying and predators in this zone.
https://safesmartsocial.com/app-guide-parents-teachers/?goal=0_40b34a3ccb-df5f48e86b-195863829
Digital Wisdom:Popular App Guide for Parents and Teachers
In this guide we walk you through the "green zone" (apps that are less dangerous), the "gray zone" (the place where some students want to hang out, but could cause trouble) and the "red zone" (very bad apps that allow strangers to communicate with your students). This resource is updated each month to include the latest videos.
GREEN ZONE: Here are the few apps we consider to be less dangerous for Teens and Tweens.
The internet can be a dangerous place for teens. However, we feel these apps are the “lesser of three evils” as they can be used to help a student (14+ years of age) shine online to impress colleges and future employers. When used wisely with our social media formula, these apps will help your students adjust their Google results to create a portfolio of positive online accomplishments. If your students want to have a profile on these networks/apps, please consider having a dialog with them and knowing that these networks are the place to start on social media. At the bottom of this page we list bad apps (red zone) that we suggest you not allow your kids to access/have/use.
GREY ZONE: These apps can be fun (and dangerous) for your Teens and Tweens.
We recommend you have a dialog with your kids about Sexting and inappropriate content if your kids have these apps. Although some people are very scared of Snapchat, we are not against it (since there are way worse apps that your kids could be using). We suggest every parent put in the time each month to have a dialog with their kids about the apps they are using. This is the best way to keep your kids safe (not by restricting the kids, but by talking with them).
RED ZONE: ANONYMOUS APPS – Here are the apps we consider to NOT be safe for Teens and Tweens.
These are the apps we do not recommend for Teens or Tweens. These apps usually have inappropriate and unmoderated content. Also, they lend themselves to cyberbullying. Often, these apps are anonymous and will encourage students to behave in a way we have never seen before. When students use an app in anonymous mode (without it being tied to their real identity) they tend to behave badly. They are also more prone to bullying and predators in this zone.
Snapchat
Instagram.
ooVoo
YouNow
Tumblr
Calculator%PhotoApp
Periscope
After School App
Ask.fm
Whisper
Secret
Omegle
Twitter
Yik Yak.