The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office posted a list of apps on Facebook that parents should be aware of if their kids have accounts on these platforms.
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They are encouraging guardians to learn about these apps and to communicate with their children about the importance of practicing online safety habits.
Officials listed apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, ChatGPT, Roblox, Reddit, Grindr and WhatsApp, but here are 10 other apps parents may not have heard of.
1.) OMETV
The chat app connects users with strangers. According to the sheriff’s office, criminals will use this app to exploit children by recording the video chat. OMETV was taken down from app stores, but the website is still in use.
2.) Sniffies
This is an LGBTQ+ dating app where people can chat, share photos and meet up based on GPS location. Like OMETV, it has been removed from app stores but is still active online.
3.) Calculator#
This app allows users to hide photos, files, browsing history and more.
4.) Wizz
This app helps connect participants to strangers. According to the sheriff’s office, criminals will use this app to exploit minors.
5.) Telegram
This is a popular messaging app where people can send disappearing texts, photos and more.
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6.) MeetMe
This app is under the dating/social media app category that allows people to meet up based on location proximity.
7.) MonkeyCool
This “speed-dating” video chat platform is catered towards teens. It pairs users to experience short video calls. Officials also say this app is used by criminals to exploit kids.
8.) Kik
This is a messaging app similar to WhatsApp, but it has added features. There is a dating section and watch livestreams.
“Kik gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime,” officials said.
9.) BeReal
BeReal has risen in popularity these past couple of years, where users take a snapshot of their lives once a day at random times. The point is to post at that exact moment the BeReal notification goes off. When posting, the location is posted as well.
10.) Discord
Mainly used by video gamers, this is a communication app that allows people to talk to friends or strangers. According to the sheriff’s office, reviewers say they have experienced racial slurs, explicit content, cyberbullying and more.
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For more information about these apps or others, please visit this link.