Potentially dangerous apps your kids might have on their phones.
We know that the internet has brought some really good benefits. It helps people all around the world to communicate and to stay in touch. But giving the multiple risk situations that kids may face online, it’s okay as a parent to be aware of situations in which our kids could be exposed to danger.
According to the US Department of Justice, 13% of young people with internet access have been the victims of unwanted sexual advances, and one in 25 children have been solicited for offline contact. The New Zealand Police have also reported greater numbers of unsolicited contact occurring online since 2010.
These are the apps that represent the most risks for our kids that as parents we should constantly monitor:
- MeetMe and Bumble: Dating apps that connect with your current location to show people around you that you can meet in person. We have to make sure our kids know that there are potential risks on connecting with people we don’t know, like facing a fake profile without knowing who is behind or what their intentions are.
- WhatsApp and Snapchat: As we know, these apps are commonly used to send unlimited texts and photos to our beloved ones and stay in touch with people of all parts of the world. These apps are certainly harmless if we use them appropriately. But as parents, we might want to have a conversation with our little ones to make sure they are not exposed to inappropriate content and be aware of sharing their location with any contacts that might be suspicious.
- Ask.Fm: An online space where you can post anonymous questions about any topic and get other user’s responses that can suddenly turn out a target for bullying.
- Tinder: One of many online dating apps, with a high potential for danger. Fake profiles are possible, leading to the possibility of harassment, threats, offensive messages, and harmful behaviour on the app and in-person.
- Grindr: LGBT community dating app where users can become targets of aggression and bullying.
- Happn: Allows users to find each other by turning your geo-location on and tells the people you have crossed paths during your travels.
But what can we do to prevent this?
Online safety organisation NetSafe has the following advice for parents looking to get a grasp on the potential danger in their children’s online activity
- Understand: Read about the potential online risks, challenges and sometimes illegal behaviour young people face to understand what may happen
- Learn: Ask your child about what they do, how they use devices and who they talk to learn about their activities. Check-in regularly to see what has changed
- Explore: Take the time yourself to explore the sites, apps and technologies your child uses to improve your knowledge and understand their experience
- Agree: Create a family code with your child to agree on what they can do online including sites to visit, appropriate behaviours, privacy settings and limits
- Plan: Make a plan so everybody knows what to do if something goes wrong and where you will be able to get advice and support in challenging times
Even so, constantly reviewing our children’s social networks does not prevent them from making inappropriate decisions on their own and in the real world, We must create the habit of communicating with them, letting them know that there is a safe space of freedom and trust to which they can approach for advice.
#STARTTHECONVERSATION, no matter what age, let your children know you can listen and support them at any time and regardless of the situation. Make them feel that they can trust you. This is the basis of all children-parent communication.
Emergency and help lines
Everyone knows someone in need, whether it's a family member, a school or work friend, an associate or someone that you meet as you are going about daily life. Perhaps you do not know where to find help. MyRivr uses your location details to be able to provide you with the exact service providers close to you should you need support or need a nearby agency.
About MyRivr
As an ex-cop and gang member, Akerei (Rei) Maresala-Thomson has spent time witnessing the struggles and challenges of the New Zealand community
After 12 years serving with the NZ Police, Rei resigned from his role as Senior Sergeant in Charge of the Pacific, Ethnic and Asian portfolio for Counties Manukau in March, 2017.
He has made it his mission to continue confronting issues, and trying to improve Pacific wellbeing in NZ – but this time he is using technology.
Rei is now the Technical Advisor for free app MYRIVR, a self-funded and volunteer managed concept from the community which was developed and released in 2015 by Corefusion Limited as MASA (Multi-Agency Services Application) to assist in a successful trial with Counties Manukau Police.
MYRIVR is now NZ’s largest in-app directory of community services, enabling visibility and instant access to more than 20,000 helpers and over 7,000 health and social services around the country.
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
Kidsline is New Zealand's original telephone counselling service for all kids up to 14 years of age. Kidsline operates from 4pm to 6pm Monday through to Friday. When kids ring they will speak to a Kidsline buddy – a specially trained teenage telephone counsellor.
Need support or want to talk? Contact Youthline.
Free Text 234
Email: talk@youthline.co.nz
Lifeline's telephone counselling service provides 24 hour a day, 7 day a week counselling and support. Calls are confidential and free and you will speak to a trained Lifeline counsellor.
Phone: 522 2999 (within Auckland)
Phone: 0800 543 354 (outside Auckland)
Information for parents on creating a safe online learning and social environment for your children at home.
Information and advice about cyberbullying for young people, parents and teachers.
Kia Kaha is a school-based programme that aims to help schools create environments where all members of the community feel safe, respected and valued, and where bullying cannot flourish.
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).
This includes includes The Journal online help service.
An online e-therapy tool provided by the University of Auckland that helps young people learn skills to deal with feeling down, depressed or stressed.
Provides confidential telephone support.
Helplines for children and young people
What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds).
Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm.
Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.
Depression Helpline (8am to midnight) Phone: 0800 111 757
Samaritans Phone: 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis Helpline Phone: 0508 828 865
0508MUSICHELP – The Wellbeing Service is a 24/7 online, on the phone and in-person counselling service fully funded by the NZ Music Foundation and provided free of charge to those in the Kiwi music community who can't access the help they need due to hardship and other circumstances. Call 0508 MUSICHELP.
Vagus Line – 0800 56 76 666 (Mon, Wed, Fri 12 noon – 2pm).
Promote family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence
Women's Refuge Crisisline – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) (for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family)
Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 742 584 (for migrant or refugee women living with family violence)
Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them
Canterbury and West Coast – 03 379 8415 / 0800 899 276 (1pm to midnight, seven nights)
Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them
Wellington 0800 200 207 (7pm–1am, Tuesday to Sunday)
Free peer support services for people experiencing mental illness or those supporting them
Auckland Central 0508 927 654 or 0508 WARMLINE (8pm to midnight, seven nights)
Depression and anxiety affects us all differently.
Free 24/7 Helpline: 0800 111 757 Text 4202
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds).
Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.
thelowdown.co.nz – Phone: 0800 111 757 or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626
Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825.