Hello Reader,

Have you ever wondered, “What are the most dangerous apps for kids?”

You’re not alone. Our team at Defend Young Minds gets this question often.

But here’s the thing—you’re asking the wrong question. Because if I gave you a list of 10 of the most dangerous apps, you might feel a sense of security with apps not on that list.

Instead of focusing on a specific list of apps, it’s more important to ask: “Which features make an app dangerous?”

The truth is apps change frequently, and new features can put your child at risk, even on apps you thought were safe.

That’s why we partnered with Titania Jordan, Chief Parent Officer of Bark Technologies, to bring you our latest article, How To Spot The Most Dangerous Apps For Kids.

Titania is a nationally recognized digital safety expert and advocate for families navigating the challenges of parenting in a tech world. She’s been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and The Wall Street Journal. She answers questions you may not have even thought to ask, like:

• What makes live-streaming risky?
• How can the “discover” section of an app put kids in danger?
• What is “feature creep,” and what are the risks?

By understanding the features that make apps dangerous, you’ll be armed with a discerning lens and the wisdom to evaluate any app your kid requests.

Kindly,

Kristen

P.S. Share our FREE Digital Safety Planner with your friends! Know someone who could use a simple way to safeguard their family from digital dangers?

This free, 3-step guide helps parents take control of their family’s tech safety. It’s packed with practical advice, including:

• Setting up filters and parental controls.
• Supervising online activity to catch risky behaviors.
• Starting critical conversations about online dangers.

Use this link to easily share this email with your friends via text or social media so they can get the Digital Safety Planner and learn about risky app features, too! Together, we can help more families protect their kids online.

What I’ve been up to…

• Working on a new resource for teens! Stay-tuned!
• Continuing to write Good Pictures Bad Pictures for Girls. This past week I spent time reviewing feedback from our wonderful beta readers. After reading their written feedback, I met with them one-on-one via Zoom. So very helpful! I love talking to parents!