Communicating with friends via mobile devices has come a long way since text messaging. It now includes photos, videos, and more. Instead of using only one way to send messages, teens and adults are using lots of different secret messaging apps to share a secret here, stalk a crush there, or post a selfie anywhere. Depending on what they want to say and to whom, teens choose the app that best fits their needs. Hence, the conversation is private and is also self-destructive in some cases. Some apps offer options to save these messages, but most are live only for a single view. Keeping up with all these different platforms can be challenging for parents. So to help, we put together the basics on what to know about some of these apps.

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What is a Secret Message App?
We all know that our teens love to text, but did you know that there are secret message apps that allow teens to keep their conversations away from the prying eyes of their parents? You know your children best and will be able to decide if they are ready to use an app of this nature appropriately. If you are looking to set better technology boundaries with your kids, check out these 4 Reasons You Need a Family Contract.
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Share this post:. In the technological age we live in, there are more ways to communicate than anyone could possibly stay on top of. Snapchat , FaceTime , Houseparty … the list continues to expand. It is important to keep pace with some of the apps your teen may be using to talk to friends, so we compiled a list of popular messaging apps kids are now using. Oovoo is quite standard as far as communication apps go; users can text and send multimedia, or video chat with up to 8 friends. Threema is an anonymous, encrypted messaging service where users can make secure and private voice calls, send instant messages and media that automatically delete upon delivery. This is all done using only a Threema ID, so it remains anonymous. Contact lists and group memberships are not stored on any server, as they are managed on the device alone.
If you have a teen, chances are, they've got a smartphone. A Pew Research Center study found that 95 percent of U. And that means they've got access to apps, leaving you to figure out which ones they should be allowed to have. And there are very real dangers for children, such as a recent and very disturbing WhatsApp suicide challenge. Some apps are easy to judge.