How to Spot the Most Dangerous Apps for Kids

Bark Technologies (our favorite internet filter) and Defend Young Minds (a favorite for resources to teach your kids) get asked all the time “What are the most dangerous apps for kids?” Surprisingly, you’re asking the wrong question.

Yes, apps can add dangerous features to frequent product updates, many apps pose real risks to children’s safety, privacy, and well-being. The app you download with can change dramatically over time.

So the question parents should be asking instead is, “Which specific features make an app dangerous?” 

We’re providing a quick list below provided by the article, but you can download the full article here - Link to article on defendyoungminds.com

Common dangerous app features:

1. Direct messaging (DM) that connects children with strangers

2. Access (both front and backdoor) to pornography

3. Disappearing messages

4. Public discoverability or community features

5. AI chatbots with little to no safeguards - here are a few on our radar: Talkie, Character.AI, and Instagram AI Studio.

Related: 12 Bold Ways Porn & Predators Will Target Your Kid in 2025

Other Risks to be aware of:

1. “Feature creep” occurs when apps start as harmless but gradually ad features or changes like Instagram and YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. Popular apps and games targeted towards children add new features in order to stay competitive.

2. Live streaming allows kids to interact with potentially anyone, exposing them to predators, cyberbullies, and inappropriate comments; and it inadvertently gives them the opportunity to share personal information like their location.

3. Location sharing in games, geotagging posts or stories, or tracking friends’ locations (like Life360) creates vulnerability.

4. Easy account creation is one-way apps increase their “user count”. To do this it often includes no age verification and allows “burner accounts”

5. Hidden content apps may look like the calculator or photo app, but it’s actually a “hidden content app”. Click on your kids’ apps from time to time to make sure the apps are what they actually are.

6. Gamification of unhealthy behavior like streaks and viral challenges lead to pressure to post daily or maintain interaction.

The reality is, it’s not a matter of if but when your child will be exposed to problematic content or people online. And it can feel overwhelming.

Best advice for parents

If you allow your child to have an app or play a game:

• Keep an eye out for new updates: Some updates can put your child in danger.

• Check release notes: Stay informed about new features that may introduce risks.

• Enable any and all parental controls: Use tools that come with the devices and accounts your children can access, whether it’s at the ISP (Internet service provider), device, or app-level.

• Opt for safer tech in the first place: Use options like the Bark Phone, Bark Watch, Bark Home, or Bark App that proactively alert you to dangers (like predators, pornography, and bullies) and give you the ability to block apps, dangerous sites, set time limits, and so much more.

• Talk, talk, and talk some more: Open dialogue is critical for building trust in your relationship with your child.

• Join the Parenting in a Tech World Facebook Group: Find support in this group of almost 600,000 parents because you aren’t meant to do this alone.