Social Media and Streaming Apps

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world. From understanding, translating, analyzing and making recommendations to create content like text, images and audio, this tool has changed the way many people use their technology. But they "pose unacceptable risks to teens and children under 18, including encouraging harmful behaviours, providing inappropriate content and potentially exacerbating mental health conditions." (Source: Common Sense Media)

What are AI Companions/Chatbots?

AI companions are a new category of technology that goes beyond simple chatbots. Unlike AI tools like ChatGPT, which are designed to complete tasks, these apps are specifically designed to:

• Build emotional connections and personal relationships with the user
• Remember past interactions and adjust to preferences
• Role-play as friends, mentors, or romantic partners
• Mimic emotions and “show” empathy

"Despite claims of alleviating loneliness and boosting creativity, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. These systems easily produce harmful content including sexual misconduct, stereotypes, and suicide/self-harm encouragement.” (Source: Common Sense Media)

Popular platforms include:

• Snapchat My AI (hyperlink this to our SnapChat section in toolkit)
• Character.ai
• Replika
• Kindroid and Nomi

Instagram is a social media platform that is used to share photos, videos, and messages to connect with friends, follow influencers, and explore trends. Youth may use the app to keep up with their peers, watch “reels” (short videos), and shape their online identity (curate).

• Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old but can enter false information to bypass this requirement. 
• What’s a “finsta/ghost” account and should I be worried about it? A "finsta/ghost" (fake Instagram) account is a private account where teens post the real parts of their lives, unlike their main account. Finstas allow teens to share without judgment, avoid family watching, and escape the pressure to seem perfect, but can also be a means to cyberbully.
• Something to Know: By default, a newly created Instagram account is set to public. In the Privacy and Security settings, you can set the account to private, so only approved followers can see your child’s content. You can also control who comments, block reshares, and prevent others from tagging your child in photos or videos without approval.
• Safety Tip: Strangers can message your child—even if they don’t follow them. Once a message is accepted, all future messages from that person go through unless they’re blocked.
  What to do: Tell your child not to open messages from strangers, and to let you know if anyone unfamiliar reaches out. Inappropriate users can be blocked or reported.

Resources:

• Introducing Family Center and Parental Supervision Tools on Instagram and in VR - Instagram
• Parents' Ultimate Guide to Instagram 2024 - Common Sense Media

Quick Tips Video: What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a messaging app that lets users share pictures and videos ("snaps") that are meant to disappear after being viewed. Users can add filters, lenses, and effects to their snaps. The app is free but also has a premium subscription plan called Snapchat+. 

• Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old, but this is not verified during sign up. Youth can enter false information to bypass this requirement. 
• The Myth of Disappearing Messages: Snaps are meant to disappear after being viewed, but someone can take screenshots using their phones or third-party apps. Screenshots from phones notify the sender, but those from third-party apps do not. It is important for youth to understand that what they post online does not disappear and lives on the app’s server. 
• Something to Know: Snapchat's AI companion is designed to have conversations with the user and in some cases has resulted in risky online behaviour. It defaults all users to the AI companion option and can only be turned off for Snapchat+ (premium account) or, as a parent enrolled in Family Centre, you can restrict your teen’s access to My AI. For more information, visit managing Snapchat My AI
• Safety Tip: Snap Map shows your real-time location to Snapchat friends. The main risk is having your location visible to all friends, including those who might not be real friends. 
  What to do: It's safer to use Ghost Mode or turn Snap Map off by opening the Map and tapping the settings icon (⚙️).

Resources: 

• Tools and Resources for Parents - Snapchat
• Parents Ultimate Guide to Snapchat - Common Sense Media

§ Quick Tips Video: What is TikTok?

Tik Tok is a video-sharing app that has changed how teenagers make and watch content. It has become one of the most influential apps. It provides endless scrolling of short videos, lasting from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. This system aims to keep users, especially youth, engaged and spend more time on the app. The platform's algorithm can also expose teens to harmful misinformation and extreme viewpoints. 

• Age Requirement: Users must be 13 years old, but you can enter false information to bypass this requirement.
• Something to Know: Viral challenges on Tik Tok can pressure teens into risky behaviors. Also, “[m]ental health experts are concerned about Tik Tok's impact on teens, including body image issues, social comparison, and addictive use patterns.”

Resources:

• For Parents and Guardians - Tik Tok
• Parents' Ultimate Guide to Tik Tok 2024 - Common Sense Media

Quick Video: What are Vault Apps?

Sometimes called Vault, anonymous or hidden apps. Hidden Apps allow youth to conceal data, images, and even other apps on their phone. Vault apps are used by using the icon of another app such as a calculator, camera, or notes. 

Resources:

• Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones - Bark

Users  watch videos on various interests, create and upload content, and interact with creators on YouTube. YouTube Kids is designed for kids under 13 and offers age-appropriate videos, music, and shows. Parents can curate content and set screen time limits. 

• Safety Tip: Users can be exposed to harmful or inappropriate content on YouTube. For younger children YouTube Kids can help reduce these risks, but some inappropriate content may slip through.
  What to do: Each family engages with media and technology in its own way, chose what works best for yours by visiting: "Discover age-appropriate ways for your kids, pre-teens, and teens to explore YouTube."