ReleaseWire Connect

The online social scene is getting more dangerous for young people. A variety of apps that permit users to create accounts and interact anonymously have triggered a risky situation where bullies can post harassing comments from behind a veil and receive little to no consequences for their actions.

All around the country, kids are getting ready to go back to school. Parents are preparing by buying school supplies, stocking up on lunch snacks, and this year, maybe even buying a new phone for their child.

Only one out of ten kids who are bullied on social media share the situation with an adult. Because kids aren’t talking about online harassment, many parents don’t realize how common it actually is.

Parents who have tweens with smartphones are undoubtedly aware of the photo-sharing app Instagram. Instagram remains one of the top apps used by kids with over 200 million users. While much of what happens on Instagram involves the harmless sharing of ubiquitous “selfies” and silly photos with friends, the app has features leaving open for vulnerabilities like location tagging and exposure to inappropriate content.

June is Internet Safety Month, offering families an excellent opportunity to examine their children’s mobile and online behavior and make some positive changes that will keep everyone in the family safe from cyberbullying, predators and identity theft.

The makers of MamaBear Family Safety App are pleased to announce the release of version 3.0 of the popular mobile app.

Most parents are aware of the prominence of social messaging apps and the way they have captivated tweens. While a majority of tweens will use messaging apps harmlessly, there are some hidden dangers associated with messaging app use that would strike fear into the heart of any parent. The apps are being used by predators to prey on young victims as well as by kids engaging in sexting and cyberbullying.

In 2013, over a third of teens reportedly sent sexually explicit texts and nearly 50 percent were the recipients of such texts, according to one study.

It’s that time of year when some families take a break from the everyday by traveling somewhere warm for a week of family down time and fun. For other families, spring break may mean mom and dad work while the kids stay home. Regardless of whether families hit the beach or stay home during, spring break is a departure from the regular schedule, creating a need to stay connected.

Just when parents think they’ve mastered the trends their kids are following, the trends shift. In this case, texting – once a mainstay of youth communication – is quickly being replaced by social messaging apps. In fact, in 2014 it is projected that there will be 50 billion app-based messages sent as compared to 21 billion text messages.