Apps and Games blocking

 

 

 

Knowing what your child is doing online as a parent can be challenging. There are many consequences:

 

Cybersafefamily app enables parents to block harmful apps and games and limit usage by scheduling screen time.

Cybersafefamily’s Apps and Games Blocking App enables parents to block or allow different apps and games remotely. Parents can also block adult and pornographic, abusive, violent, or inappropriate content they deem unwanted from 61 different categories of websites.

Today’s teens’ average screen time is about nine hours a day of entertainment media use, excluding the time spent at school or for homework.

Given the incredible pull and the profound impact technology has on us as adult users. It is no surprise that many young people struggle to create a healthy relationship with their screens and expose themselves to other risks like mental health, which impact children’s learning abilities.

A recent study published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health suggests that when children, ages 8–11, have screen time limited to under 2 hours a day (as recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics), they perform better on cognitive tests. In addition, screen time weakens our capacity to acquire deep knowledge, inductive analysis, critical thinking, imagination, and reflection.

The Cybersafefamily app allows parents to totally ban hazardous applications and games and limit usage via scheduling screen time by introducing their Apps and Games Blocking App.

Below is the article from Parentology, "Parenting in the Digital Age."

TikTok (Ages 13+)

It’s the most happening social media app out there and it has crept both among young people AND adults! TikTok has become a threat to Facebook and Instagram. In recent months, these platforms have added additional features to compete with TikTok, but so far they are unable to compete with it.

Formerly known as Musical.ly, the Beijing-based platform allows users to create and share short videos. Its most popular content is based around videos of users lip-syncing or dancing. The short clips have evolved into a variety of content across the platforms, including skits, DIY projects, life hacks, and much more. These videos are often taken and then re-shared across other social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

TikTok was in hot water for a short time with the Trump administration, but that only increased its popularity among young people. The Biden Administration has made no moves against the TikTok app.

YouTube (Ages 18+, or 13 with Parent Permission)

You likely know about the video-sharing platform, which has found popularity with everyone from children to older teens. Users can create their own profiles, upload their own content, or watch the content of others and leave their likes and comments.

This platform has recently been under fire by parents and the FTC for the method by which the minor’s data is being tracked and for how it allows them to access content. After an investigation ended with YouTube being fined, the app is now making serious changes, which include ending the ads targeted towards kids’ content and restricting community features like “commenting.”

Doublicat / REFACE (Ages 13+)

REFACE, formerly known as Doublicat, is a new app that allows users to place their faces onto the image of someone in an existing GIF or video.

While it’s typically used to create memes on social media, many are worried about the possibility of REFACE being used for deepfake videos to promote conspiracies.

Omegle (Ages 13+)

Omegle is a free online chatting service that was first created in 2009. However, in recent months, it has spiked in popularity. The app isn’t being offered anymore, but kids can still access it through the main website. While Omegle is supposed to be for users aged 13 and older (with parental permission), just about anyone can log on to chat with strangers.

Omegle randomly selects users for one-on-one chats, and users can choose to chat via text or video. With Omegle, it’s not hard for younger users to stumble across adult conversations and content.

Snapchat (Ages 13+)

This popular private messaging app allows users to exchange photos and videos that allegedly expire just seconds after being sent. We say “allegedly,” because kids can quickly grab screenshots of images sent to them, which can cause serious problems if the messages are inappropriate.

Users can also create private messaging threads and group chats among themselves, sending media files, texts, and even money.

Instagram (Ages 13+)

This photo-sharing app has evolved into one of the top social media apps used by teens. Instagram also poses plenty of dangers: fake profiles, targeted ads, and cyberbullying. To keep teen users safe on the social media app, Instagram has announced a series of recent changes:

• Likes are now being hidden.
• Restricting ads that promote diets and cosmetic procedures.
• Highlighting words associated with bullying.
• Giving users the ability to restrict comments by others.

WhatsApp (Ages 13+)

This instant messaging app (owned by Facebook) allows users to send texts, photos, videos, and audio messages for free. It is widely popular because it allows for an unlimited amount of messages and voice calls to be exchanged between users.

Group messaging is easy on the app. Users can take part in chats with friends, family, and even complete strangers. A WhatsApp group can have up to 256 participants.

Kik (Ages 13+)

Similar to WhatsApp, Kik is a free messaging app that allows smartphone users to create an account without even having to register their phone number. The platform also has in-app use of exclusive emojis, e-cards, and mini-games.

Unfortunately, this app has no age-restriction verification, making it fairly easy for just about anyone to download and use it. While some kids can just be having harmless conversations, anonymity helps people connect with complete strangers and engage in harmful conversations.

Discord (Ages 13+)

Originally intended for and popularized in the gaming community, Discord is a voice and text-chatting app with more than 100 million users. Gamers use the app to send direct messages to each other and engage in group chats over gaming.

Other topics have become widely popular, attracting even more users. Discord servers dedicated to topics like specific sports teams or musical artists are used to connect fans from around the world.

Houseparty (Ages 13+)

This group-based video-chat app allows users to connect through a chat comprised of 8 people at a time.

The platform was acquired last year by Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite. The move was a push to start generating revenue through methods like bringing paid gaming to Houseparty users.

Ask.fm (Ages 13+)

This site lets people anonymously ask questions, give answers, and get those answers. The Q&A format offers a unique way of chatting, but it also provides easy access for bullies to reach unknown teens online.

VSCO (Ages 13+)

Another photo-sharing app, VSCO allows users to take photos, upload them from their camera roll, and edit them as they like. They can also create their own VSCO feed with their edited photos.