So take inventory of your kids' apps and review the best practices. The bottom line for most of these tools? If teens are using them respectfully, appropriately, and with a little parental guidance, they're mostly fine. The more you know about each, the better you'll be able to communicate with your teen about safe choices. But knowing the basics - what they are, why they're popular, and what problems can crop up when they're not used responsibly - can make the difference between a positive and a negative experience for your kid.īelow, we've laid out some of the most popular types of apps and websites for teens: texting, microblogging, livestreaming, self-destructing/secret, and chatting/meeting/dating. But you don't need to know all the ins and outs of all the apps, sites, and terms that are 'hot' right now (and frankly, if you did, they wouldn't be trendy anymore). This can be challenging for parents to keep up with. And though household names such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter have proven their staying power, teens love to try out new apps they hear about from friends, ads, or even what's trending in the app store. Though some teens still use it, they prefer to use a variety of apps to connect, curate, and capture their lives in different ways.
