8 online applications parents should know to support your child’s safety in a digital world

20 11月 2020

As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to best support your child in a changing, digital world which didn’t exist 10 years ago. The most important thing that you can do is be aware of what your child is using their device for, who are they friends with and what apps or websites they are using.

At BIS Hanoi your child’s online safety is as important as their health and wellbeing, and academic success. The BIS curriculum teaches students from Year 1 about the importance of securing online accounts, how to look for inaccurate information online, and the dangers that exist on the internet. For example, last week Year 8 were discussing social media apps, with a specific focus on the types of posts that students will see online, the negative impact of posts and where to find support on the most popular applications.

We have also updated our password policy for all staff and students, ensuring students have a stronger password for their online accounts and encouraging discussions around online safety.

There are some specific applications which you should be aware of.

Ask.fm and Whisper	Ask.fm and Whisper are two popular apps which allow users to anonymously ask questions. There is significant evidence of these apps being used to bully other students online, Whisper can also reveal a user's physical location.
Live.me and TikTok	Live.me and TikTok allow users to share live or pre-recorded videos. Live.me broadcasts each user’s live location and allows viewers to pay ‘coins’ to the broadcaster in exchange for their video content.
Snapchat and Instagram	Snapchat and Instagram allow users to share text, photographs or videos privately with their friends or publicly on their story. These apps both have features which allow the posts to disappear immediately after they are viewed which increases the risk of them being misused.
Tinder and Bumble	Tinder and Bumble are popular dating applications which pair users up with potential partners in their local area. The applications are specifically designed for adults, 18 and over, and pose a significant risk to young people. These apps are used to share text conversations or videos and make use of GPS to locate their users.

Many technology companies provide tools which will support you in caring for your child’s digital wellbeing. Google has developed resources to support conversations with all members of your family. They also provide a digital platform which gives you the technical support to keep your child’s device safe. You can find more information using the links below.

Google Digital Safety Resources - https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/families

Google Family Link - https://families.google.com/familylink/

Apple Family Sharing - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201060

Paul Casey

Computer Science Leader