The Most Popular Teen Apps Parents Need to Know About

September 29, 2024

appWith the growing number of apps available for phones and computers, and new ones being released all the time, it can be tough for parents to stay on top of which apps their teens are using. Many of these apps are fun and social, but some can expose teens to risks like cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or privacy issues. That’s why it’s important for parents to be aware of what apps their teens are using and understand how they work. Here are some of the most popular apps among teens right now and what you need to know about each one.

Anonymous Teen Chat Apps

Teens today are more connected than ever, thanks to the wide variety of chat apps available at their fingertips. It is important for parents to be aware of what chatting apps their teens are using. Some platforms can expose them to risks like cyberbullying, privacy concerns, or inappropriate content.

Lipsi 

Lipsi is a messaging app that lets users send anonymous messages, which makes it popular with teens who want to share their thoughts without being identified. While it can be fun, the anonymity also comes with risks like cyberbullying or mean comments. Because of this, it’s important for parents to be aware of the app and talk to their teens about staying safe online.

• The app is for 17 and up
• The makers of Lipsi encourages users to put their Lipsi link on their Instagram account so they can receive anonymous feedback about their posts.
• Users can easily erase chat history, which means they can be tempted to engage in risky behaviors.

Tellonym

Tellonym is a messaging app where users can send and receive anonymous messages, making it popular with teens who like to share opinions without revealing their identity. While the app can be a fun way to connect, the anonymity can also lead to negative behavior like cyberbullying.

• 13 and up, though anyone under 15 should get parental permission
• This anonymous texting app currently has over 10 million users.
• Tellonym claims to be monitoring for inappropriate content and has a section on their site about managing safety concerns.
• Users can block certain words, for instance, or block messages from people who are not registered users of the app.
• In England, several schools have warned parents about bullying connected with the app.

Yik Yak

Yik Yak is an app that allows users to post anonymous messages, which can be seen by others nearby. This makes it popular for sharing local thoughts and opinions on schools and other local gathering spots.

• Yik Yak allows users to anonymously connect with other users within a five-mile radius. Users post messages, and anyone in the area using the app can respond.
• Yik Yak was previously removed from the app store for allowing anonymous cyberbullying and hate speech. It is now back online featuring “Community Guardrails,” meant to deter such behavior, though these guardrails are user-enforced.
• Yik Yak is rated 17+, but it does not have age verification, and much of the content is not suitable for young teens, including sexually explicit content.

Live Video Chatting Apps Teens are Using

What parents worry about: Live video apps can raise concerns about privacy and the potential for inappropriate content and interaction with predators.

Houseparty

Houseparty is a group video chat app that allows users to connect with multiple friends at once in a virtual “room.” It’s popular with teens because they can drop in and out of chats easily and hang out with friends in a casual way. While the app is fun for socializing, there are privacy concerns since strangers can sometimes join chats if not properly secured.

• This group video chat service is reportedly the fourth most downloaded app and 60 percent of its users are under 24.
• Users must be 13 years or older to join
• According to Bark, a parental control phone tracker app, Houseparty doesn’t monitor chats, which raises the risk of kids being exposed to inappropriate content.
• Users can only add people they already know through Facebook or their contact list.
• There is an option to add people nearby, but the location service can be turned off.
• Privacy settings can also be used, and chats can be locked to reduce the risk of strangers joining a chat.

Holla

Holla is a video chat app that lets users connect with random people from around the globe through live video calls. Many teens are drawn to the app because it offers a way to meet new people quickly. However, the app comes with serious risks, as it allows users to interact with strangers without much oversight. This can lead to exposure to inappropriate content or unsafe interactions.

• Users engage in live video chats with strangers.
• Several reviews mention users exposing themselves or engaging in sexual activities during chats.

Teen Messaging apps

Any messaging app can lead to inappropriate conversations and raises the risk of exposure to predatory and inappropriate behaviors. It is important to know what messaging apps your teens are using and who they are interacting with.

Kik (13 and up)

Kik is a messaging app that lets users chat with friends or strangers, either one-on-one or in groups. The has been criticized for lacking safety controls, which can make it a platform for inappropriate content or risky interactions

• Kik is reportedly used by one-third of American teens 13-17.
• Kik has been in the news because of cases involving online predators.
• The company that makes Kik offers a safety guide for parents.

WhatsApp (13 and over)

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world. In many countries, it is used as the primary form of texting.

• WhatsApp has over 2 billion users globally
• The app allows users to send unlimited messages and photos without worrying about data limits.
• Users can share their locations and contacts while messaging, but that feature can be turned off.

Telegram (16 and up) 

Telegram is a messaging platform where messages are encrypted and extra secure. It is very popular for massive group chats.

• Telegram allows users to send texts, images, and videos.
• Encryption makes it the preferred choice for people seeking security

Discord (13 and up)

Discord started off as the preferred messaging app for gamers. Now it is extremely popular and used for various online communities.

• Discord is a voice and text chatting tool for gamers that has over 100 million users.
• Users can send direct messages to each other, so there is the potential for interactions with strangers.
• Some users discuss games for older teens and adults, so risks of accessing inappropriate content are high.

Social Media Apps Teens Use

What parents worry about: Entertainment apps can offer access to inappropriate content and potential interactions with strangers.

TikTok (12 and up)

TikTok is a popular social media app where users create and share short videos, often featuring music, dance, or comedy. It’s especially popular with teens for its entertaining content and viral trends. Parents need to know how TikTok works and help guide their teens in using the app safely, including managing privacy settings and discussing responsible online behavior.

• TikTok has over 1 billion users, making it one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.
• Accounts are public by default. If the account isn’t set to private, anyone can contact the user directly.
• TikTok has been in the news because of tween and teen users receiving inappropriate messages from other users.
• There is also some explicit content, but a restricted mode helps filter out anything inappropriate.

YouTube

YouTube is the most popular video platform in the world. It has become the preferred source of video content among teens, beating out Netflix and other streaming platforms.

• A Pew Research Center Study showed that YouTube is the most popular internet platform, with 85 percent of teens 13-17 using it.
• The company recently reiterated their policies prohibiting harmful and dangerous content and said they would ban all challenges and pranks that can cause emotional distress and lead to physical harm.
• Past efforts to ban certain kinds of content have been unsuccessful and inappropriate content has even slipped through YouTube Kids.

Snapchat

Snapchat allows users to send disappearing images to each other. It can be a fun way to communicate, but can also be used inappropriately.

• The Pew study found that 69 percent of teens 13-17 use Snapchat and it ranks first in terms of how often it is used
• The app has been in the news often for instances of predator encounters and users self-harming as a result of content.
• One of the most alarming aspects of the app is its “Discover” feature, which enables individuals and companies to create their own channels. S
• Some of the channels are age-gated, meaning users must at least say they’re 18 to access the sometimes-explicit content, but not all channels are.

Instagram

Instagram is owned by Facebook (aka Meta) and has over a billion of users globally. It is the top photo sharing social media platform, but also has a popular chat feature. Parents should monitor how their teens use the chat feature as well as comments.

• This photo- and video-sharing platform is the second most popular app for teens 13-17.
• A major concern with Instagram is access to pornographic content. According to Chris McKenna at protectyoungeyes.com, porn is too easy to find on Instagram. Although the app creators restrict content, pornographers have figured out how to game the system.
• Teens often set up spam accounts where they post photos they don’t want their regular followers (such as parents) to see.

BeReal (13 and up)

This app was created as a direct response to Instagram. Once a day at a random time, BeReal will notify users to take a picture with both cameras, and you have two minutes to take the photo, thus preventing users from being able to obsess over the perfect photos.

• Only friends can comment on other people’s photos. However, anyone can react to photos, and anyone can send your child a friend request.
• Photos can only be posted once a day, and only one photo can be deleted a day. This is to limit time on the app.

VSCO (13 and up)

What parents need to know:

• VSCO describes itself as a creative channel with a creator-first philosophy.
• Like Instagram, VSCO users can post and see other users’ photographs and videos and communicate with those who follow them via messaging. Unlike Instagram, users cannot like one another’s posts.
• VSCO says it doesn’t allow nudity or hate-driven posts, but Common Sense Media found suggestive and even explicit material and references to alcohol and drugs.
• Location data is shared unless turned off in privacy settings.

(Author note: The term “VSCO girl” has floated around my house quite a bit recently. I’m told—and research confirms—the term refers to girls who like certain trendy brands. A look at my own daughter’s account shows lots of pictures of teen girls using filters and well-rehearsed poses to try to look as model-like as possible.)