Most parents are probably familiar with the social media app TikTok and Snapchat.  However, they may not know about the apps Yubo and Monkey.

Geauga County Sheriff Scott A. Hildenbrand is urging parents to be aware of the potential dangers associated with several social media apps popular among teens.  In a series of posts on Facebook, Hildenbrand highlighted concerns about Yubo, TikTok, Snapchat, and Monkey, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement and monitoring.

Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps, especially among teens. It's an easy way to send photos and videos that disappear after being viewed. But while it seems fun, there are some important things you should know as a parent. Because photos and messages disappear, it can make risky behaviors like sexting seem less dangerous. Kids may accept friend requests from people they don’t know.  With Snap Map, it’s easy for kids to unknowingly share their real-time location. Snapchat offers like bullying.

Yubo, the sheriff noted, combines social networking and live streaming, allowing teens to connect with both friends and strangers.  Hildenbrand cautioned about the risks of exposure to inappropriate content, privacy concerns, and cyberbullying. He advised parents to adjust privacy settings, monitor activity, educate children about “stranger danger,” utilize parental controls, and maintain open communication.

Regarding TikTok, known for short-form video content, Hildenbrand acknowledged its popularity but warned of inappropriate content, the potential for interaction with online predators, addiction, and cyberbullying.  He recommended privacy settings, using the app's "Family Pairing" feature, discussing online behavior, monitoring screen time, and staying involved in their children's online activity.

Monkey, an app that facilitates random video chats with strangers, drew particularly strong concern from the sheriff.  He stressed the risks of exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and privacy violations.  Hildenbrand suggested keeping the app off-limits, discussing online safety with children, using parental controls to restrict access, monitoring usage if the app is used, and encouraging safe socialization with known friends.

Hildenbrand emphasized the importance of proactive parenting and open communication regarding online safety. He encouraged parents to stay informed about the apps their children are using and to take steps to mitigate potential risks.