What’s On Your Child’s Mobile Phone?
Children born before the millennials’ generation used to have more physical activities. They are mostly playing outdoor games and involve themselves in various kinds of sports. Although the basketball and volleyball leagues are very active these days, it was a whole different kind of childhood back then.
Being a part of that previous generation, you would see how the children’s personalities have evolved. Some of them seem to look older than they look. Why? It is probably they have become more exposed to issues that were only known by young adults in the ’70s. Although you might say that it is helping our children today to become more aware of the things that are happening around us, still, you cannot leave the fact that there are certain issues which should not be implanted in a young man.
Children’s Past Time
Patintero, tumbang preso, sipa, Chinese garter, and tumbang baka are just some of the very common Filipino games. It’s sad to know that we can now only read about them now and very rarely do we see children to be playing these games. When technology made mobile gadget very famous less than 20 years ago, this may have marked the decline of outdoor activities for the children. And being children, they cannot just be doing nothing during their spare time. Therefore, app developers have started creating these online games which you would notice that even young adults are caught for hours behind their gadgets playing with their friends online as well.
Technology is a gift to all of us which we should all be grateful for. However, with its huge advantage comes to some negative points, too. The ease in communication is very important to us since we no longer need to be waiting for our loved ones to come home to know that they are safe or where they are. With just a few clicks on our mobile phones, we can instantly reach to them. The internet has replaced the long hours of staying in the library to help with homework and research. You can stay up late and be in the safety of your home. But what is rather alarming is how some people have abused these great gifts of technology, and with that, it’s a good thing that there are now laws that can protect individuals particularly children against cybercrimes.
Social media has become the “air that millennials breathe”. It is unlikely for them to ignore their social media accounts in a day. The usual saying grace before meals have been replaced by taking photos of the food on the table to be posted on Instagram. When on vacation, it just seems that everyone would have the need to post all of their activities online without thinking that it could pose danger to them. Letting people know your whereabouts exactly at the time you post them would make it easier for robbers to get to your homes and just wipe out everything that you have or if there are people who might want to harm you, they would instantly be notified where to find you.
Have you noticed how violent online games have become? Studies show that these types of games can develop aggressive behavior on the player. By being constantly having the “winning mindset”, the individual tends to always want it his way without thinking of the repercussions of his actions in the real world. Additionally, there are also certain apps that expose children to sex. It is not enough to ask a newly registered individual if it he is 18 years old. The app could not verify if the individual is truly 18 years old. Just like Facebook. One needs to be at least 16 years old to create an account. However, you would often come across children’s profiles. And to top that, some teachers would give assignments and announcements through group chats.
Apps That Parents Should Be Warned About
It is likely that parents, uncles and aunts, grandparents or godparents have given children with the latest gadgets such as mobile phones or tablets. And these children would definitely now waste time in exploring which apps to install on their devices.
It is no longer surprising how a simple chat made online can lead to kidnapping, cyberbullying, rape, murder, and child pornography. And knowing that these happen every day, the best way to protect the children is to be able to know information about these different apps.
1.
Whisper
Whisper is an anonymous messaging app that allows users to connect in groups based on their interests and location and is used for “telling secrets”. The anonymous aspect of this platform opens an opportunity to predators which can easily connect to your children.
2.
Tinder
Tinder may initially look like a harmless app since according to them, “it is a fun way to connect with new and interesting people around you.” The app is rated for ages 17+ but as young as 13 years old can register and easily link it to their Facebook account. Just like Whisper, you get to connect with people within your geographic location. The Tinder app facilitates the face to face meeting by revealing a user's location. This app puts your child at risk of catfishing, sexual harassment, and child pornography. Spy Parent also described the app as "the playground for males in their late 20s to 30s to try to match with younger females.
3.
AfterSchool
AfterSchool is another anonymous app which can lead to cyberbullying. The app connects students from the same school wherein users can post pictures and videos anonymously. This app can truly be scary since some students would opt to put shame on others. Cyberbullying does not only shame people but can also lead the individual into taking his own life after feeling of being too harassed.
4.
TikTok (formerly named Musical.ly)
is a fun app that lots of young kids use to create fun, silly lip dubs with friends. The problem is, it also has a messaging feature which makes kids vulnerable to predators. The settings SERIOUSLY locked down, or kids can post publicly and post their locations, too. Additionally, they can always see others’ inappropriate content AND see or get inappropriate COMMENTS on their own stuff and others.
5.
Snapchat
Snapchat is among the very popular apps wherein people have fun posting photos by adding funny icons. It allows users to send photos and videos that disappear from view within 10 seconds after they're received. It's rated ages 12+. Some kids are using the app to send racy pics because they believe the images can't be saved and circulated. But it turns out that Snapchat pics don't completely disappear from a device, and users can take a screenshot before an image vanishes in the app. Some parents have raised their concern that since photos disappear after a few seconds, some young teens may think of posting intimate photos and those who might see them may actually take a screenshot and use it against these teens, again for cyberbullying or child pornography.
How To Keep Your Children Within Your Radar
Children are unlikely to be happy when they know that they are being watched all the time. And you would surely understand somehow, that these children would want a little privacy and freedom little by little. However, when you have the time to talk to your children about the dangerous possibilities that may happen through these dangerous apps, your children will be enlightened and would become more responsible for their actions.
Let your children know that even if they have their own mobile phones or other gadgets, it does not mean that they will always have the freedom to use it, particularly not on a school night. Parents should provide an only reasonable time for their children to use their gadgets and to build a more pleasant environment for them by keeping them busy with family activities and to help around the house.
One of the fun ways of having quality time with children is by simply watching your favorite movies at home. Now you don’t need to actually go outside and be caught in traffic just to make it on time to watch a movie. You can do this at home with your very own smart TV. And this is why AVision has come up with a line of affordable Smart TVs for every Juan. Binge-watch on a Saturday watching Netflix movies with the whole family. Children would surely remember all the wonderful time that you had together as a family and at the same time, you mold your children to become responsible individuals.
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