by Christine Gaudette

A brief explanation of the types of social media tools available today…

BIGO LIVE – Live Stream

Livestreamer rewards narcissism, has adult content.BIGO LIVE lets teens stream live video of themselves that other users can see and comment on in real time

BIGO has a lot of mature content, including sexy talk and clothing, and users’ comments are often predatory and explicit. Also, its focus on status and spending money, as opposed to creativity and talent, makes it feel shallow.

BitLife – Life Simulator

While kids can’t engage in actual risky behavior, BitLife exposes them to mature ideas. As your character gets older, you can choose to “hook up” with the pretend profiles, drink, do drugs, gamble, and commit crimes. 

HOLLA: live random video chat

Video-chatting with strangers can be risky for teens. When it’s paired with location, it’s a no-go. Also, while HOLLA supposedly bans iffy content — like nudity and violence — user reviews indicate that masturbation, fake identities, and negative comments are common. 

These are just a few apps that our children are using today. Just imagine what else is out there that they have access to. Do you know what apps your child(ren) are using? Don’t you think it is a good idea that you find out? Do you think they are familiar with the danger of using certain apps? Don’t you think it is a good idea that you make them aware?

In August 2019, WGRZ-TV reported that there are 15 apps that parents should know about due to the fact that it is dangerous and/or unhealthy for our minors to be interacting with. Social media may be the greatest thing today because we are in this pandemic situation, but it is the most dangerous time. The reason I say this is because there are certain individuals that do not have anything else better to do with their time but screw with people. They screw with people in many different ways. They don’t just screw with our children. 

Should I have not watched this video of WGRZ-TV news, I would not have even thought of all the risks there are with social media. I really am grateful for this class because I have learned so much and like I said before, if it wasn’t for this class, I would have dropped out of school because I am more of an on-hands learning type of person, not an on-line person. Taking this class was the best decision I have ever made besides having God in my life.

There is an app that I am guilty of using besides the ones I use for school and everyday life and that is Facebook, which I use to send out God’s word every morning. This is not only to get the word out but to encourage others that may be struggling in their walk of sobriety.The walk of sobriety is a struggle that is REAL and incurable, but mangable.

There was an experience I had recently because I decided to try and comment on someone Facebook post and when I did I guess I hit the wrong page and ended up posting the comment on my son’s Facebook page and oh…it almost made a big huhu. It’s a good thing I thought my children to speak up, ‘cause if I didn’t it would have been a disaster. Anyway, he called me and asked why I put that on his Facebook page and I informed him that it was supposed to have been for another person’s page. Thank God!!!

References:

[commonsensemedia] 19 Dec 2019.Apps to Watch Out For 
Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/apps-to-watch-out-for

[pexels.com] Person Holding Turned-on Android Smartphone
Retrieved from https://www.pexels.com/photo/apps-business-cellphone-cellular-telephone-533446/

[WGRZ-TV] 7 Aug 2019. 15 Apps Parents Should Know About
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1G-ZfMm2U