Local

APP ALERT: Keeping children safe from cyber criminals

PITTSBURGH — With new apps available for download so frequently, experts say there are plenty of pitfalls that could lead children to be targets of cyber criminals.

“Every time you turn around, there's a new app,” parent Connie Deem said.

Deem said she monitors all the apps her 15-year-old son Zachery has access to because he’s constantly on his digital devices.

FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

“If you have a cellphone, you pretty much are on social media,” Zachery said.

Deem told Channel 11 News that some apps have the potential to put children in danger, leading to sexting or extortion.

Last month, police charged a local EMT with sending explicit pictures through an instant messaging app called Kik.

“Sometimes it lets people be victimized and that's the problem I see,” FBI Special Agent Greg Frankhouser said.

Frankhouser said he’s investigated several cyber crimes.

“It’s not specially the apps we’re concerned about. It’s the communication using those apps,” he said.

Blendr is a flirting app that lets users meet new people based on their location and also allows photos and videos to be sent. Something that Frankhouser said is exactly what predators want.

“You have already sent me these pictures. I want more,” he said.

Tinder is a social dating app meant for those 18 and older, while DOWN lets users rate friends that they’re interested in “hooking up” with.

Deem said all of those apps are off limits for her son.

“(I’m) not sure why any teenager needs dating apps. High school is hard enough,” she said.

Frankhouser said the key is for parents to be aware and involved with their children’s digital lives.

Deem said she performs random checks on her son’s computers and phone to ensure no one is targeting him. She said parents shouldn’t worry about their children’s privacy when their safety is on the line.

“It’s my responsibility to keep my sons protected,” she said.

WPXI

0

Most Read