50+ Apps to Be Aware of for Parents

These apps are popular among children and teens and can pose risks due to privacy issues, inappropriate content, or potential interactions with strangers.

1. Social Media Apps (14 apps)

1. TikTok: Short videos; exposure to explicit content.
2. Instagram: Photo sharing; risk of cyberbullying and self-esteem issues.
3. Snapchat: Disappearing messages; risk of inappropriate content.
4. Twitter (X): Unfiltered content; difficult to moderate.
5. Reddit: Forums; may include explicit or harmful discussions.
6. ASK.fm: Anonymous Q&A; known for bullying.
7. Badoo: Social discovery; potential adult interactions.
8. Hot or Not: Rating attractiveness; risky for teens.
9. Skout: Location-based chatting; predatory risks.
10. BIGO Live: Live streaming; exposure to explicit content.
11. Wizz: Chatting with strangers; potential inappropriate interactions.
12. Hoop: Connects with Snapchat; risks of inappropriate content.
13. Tumblr: Blog-style platform; exposure to explicit and sensitive content.
14. VSCO: Photo sharing; creative expression, but limited privacy controls.

2. Chat & Communication Apps (13 apps)

1. Discord: Gaming chat; potential inappropriate content.
2. Kik: Anonymous messaging; linked to predators.
3. WhatsApp: Encrypted messaging; difficult to monitor.
4. Telegram: Secure messaging; used for illicit activities.
5. Holla: Random video chats; exposure to explicit content.
6. Gorilla Chat: Chat with strangers; risky interactions.
7. Whisper: Anonymous posts; harmful discussions.
8. Viber: Messaging; hidden chats complicate monitoring.
9. Line: Social features; potential for inappropriate content.
10. WeChat: Messaging app; difficult to monitor and control.
11. Voxer: Voice messaging; real-time chat can evade parental monitoring.
12. Confide: Encrypted, disappearing messages; potential for hidden risks.
13. Parlor: Anonymous group chats; risks of predatory behavior.

3. Streaming and Video Content Platforms (5 apps)

1. YouTube: Video platform; risks of inappropriate content.
2. Twitch: Live streaming; exposure to explicit language.
3. BIGO Live: Live streaming; potential for explicit content.
4. Live.Me: Live streaming; risky interactions.
5. Zoomerang: Short video creation; exposure to inappropriate trends.

4. Dating Apps (6 apps)

1. Tinder: Dating app; not suitable for teens.
2. Grindr: LGBTQ+ dating; explicit content.
3. Badoo: Social discovery; adult interactions.
4. Hot or Not: Dating focus; risky for teens.
5. Skout: Social networking; interactions with strangers.
6. Bumble: Dating app; risks of misrepresentation and adult content.

5. Anonymous & Secretive Apps (8 apps)

1. Omegle: Anonymous video chat; high risk of explicit content.
2. Whisper: Anonymous sharing; harmful discussions.
3. ASK.fm: Anonymous questions; linked to bullying.
4. Tellonym: Anonymous messaging; used for harassment.
5. Calculator%: Hides content; hard to monitor.
6. Yik Yak: Local anonymous messaging; potential for bullying.
7. Blendr: Location-based chat; risks of meeting strangers.
8. Chat Master: Simulated chat scenarios; risks of inappropriate content.

6. Gaming Platforms with Social Features (5 apps)

1. Roblox: User-generated games; inappropriate content risks.
2. Fortnite: Battle royale; exposure to explicit language.
3. Minecraft: Sandbox game; user-generated risks.
4. Twitch: Live gaming streams; exposure to inappropriate behavior.
5. Among Us: Multiplayer game; potential for inappropriate chat behavior.

7. Live-Streaming & Video Chat Apps (9 apps)

1. BIGO Live: Live streaming; high risk of explicit content.
2. Live.Me: Live-streaming; risky interactions.
3. Omegle: Random video chat; explicit content.
4. Holla: Random video chat; unsafe interactions.
5. Houseparty: Group video chat; privacy and bullying risks.
6. OmeTV: Random video chats; exposure to explicit content.
7. Azar: Video chats with strangers; explicit content risks.
8. Chatroulette: Random video chats; high risk of explicit content.
9. IMVU: Avatar-based interaction; risks of anonymity and harassment.

8. Content Aggregators & Forums (4 apps)

1. Reddit: Forums; inappropriate content risks.
2. 4chan: Anonymous forum; extremist and explicit content.
3. Tumblr: Blogging platform; sensitive and explicit content.
4. Yarn: Storytelling format; difficult to monitor content.

9. Hidden & Vault Apps (2 apps)

1. Calculator%: Hides content; hard to monitor.
2. Vaulty: Secure vault for hiding content.

10. Shopping & E-Commerce (2 apps)

1. Depop: Fashion marketplace; potential for inappropriate interactions.
2. Wish: Cheap products; potential exposure to dangerous items.

50 + websites parents should know about

These websites do not include apps, messaging forums, or social media platforms. They can host harmful content, illegal activities, or pose risks to children and teens.

1. Adult Content Websites (10 sites)

1. Pornhub: A popular site for adult videos.
2. XVideos: A large collection of explicit adult content.
3. RedTube: Another platform for adult videos similar to Pornhub.
4. YouPorn: Provides explicit adult videos, easily accessible.
5. LiveJasmin: Features live adult webcam performances.
6. XNXX: A well-known site for adult content videos.
7. CamSoda: Live adult webcams with interactive features.
8. Chaturbate: Live adult performances, often explicit.
9. AdultFriendFinder: A dating and hookup site with adult content.
10. OnlyFans: A subscription service often used for explicit content.

2. Gambling Websites (5 sites)

1. Bet365: Online betting on sports and casino games.
2. PokerStars: A popular online platform for playing poker.
3. 888 Casino: Online casino with various gambling games.
4. DraftKings: Offers fantasy sports and sports betting.
5. FanDuel: Fantasy sports and betting platform.

3. Hate and Extremist Websites (5 sites)

1. Stormfront: A white supremacist forum promoting hate speech.
2. Daily Stormer: Known for extreme right-wing propaganda.
3. VDARE: Anti-immigrant rhetoric and extremist views.
4. 8kun (formerly 8chan): Platform for extremist content and conspiracies.
5. American Renaissance: Promotes white supremacist ideology.

4. Piracy and Illegal Download Websites (5 sites)

1. The Pirate Bay: Torrent site for downloading pirated content.
2. RARBG: Torrents for movies, TV shows, and software.
3. 1337x: A platform for sharing pirated files and media.
4. YTS: Torrent site focusing mainly on movies.
5. EZTV: Specializes in TV show torrents.

5. Self-Harm and Pro-Eating Disorder Websites (5 sites)

1. MyProAna: A forum promoting eating disorders.
2. Thinspiration: Sites promoting extreme dieting and eating disorders.
3. BlahTherapy: Support forum that may contain harmful discussions.
4. Suicide Project: Forum discussing self-harm and suicide, often without proper support.
5. ProAnaNation: Promotes eating disorders and harmful behaviors.

6. Drug and Substance Abuse Websites (5 sites)

1. Erowid: Provides detailed information on drugs and their effects.
2. Silk Road (and its successors): Dark web marketplace for illegal drugs.
3. BlueLight: Forum discussing the use of recreational drugs.
4. Rollitup: Focused on cannabis cultivation and use.
5. Shroomery: Information and discussions on psychedelic mushrooms.

7. File Sharing and Streaming Websites (5 sites)

1. Putlocker: Site for streaming pirated movies and TV shows.
2. Mega.nz: File-sharing platform that can be used for illegal content distribution.
3. Fmovies: Streaming site for watching pirated movies and TV shows.
4. GoStream: Similar to Fmovies, offering illegal streaming content.
5. WatchSeries: Streaming site focused on TV series, often pirated.

8. Dark Web Marketplaces (5 sites)

1. Silk Road (and its successors): Infamous for selling illegal drugs and contraband.
2. Dream Market: A dark web marketplace known for illegal activities.
3. Empire Market: Another dark web market offering illegal goods.
4. Wall Street Market: Platform for illicit trade on the dark web.
5. AlphaBay: Known for illegal drug sales before its takedown.

9. Fake News and Misinformation Websites (5 sites)

1. Infowars: Conspiracy theories and misinformation.
2. Natural News: Spreads misinformation, especially on health topics.
3. Before It’s News: Known for conspiracy theories and false information.
4. The Gateway Pundit: Spreads misinformation and extreme viewpoints.
5. YourNewsWire: Notorious for spreading hoaxes and fake news.

10. Hacking and Cybersecurity Breach Forums (5 sites)

1. Hack Forums: Discussions on hacking, often illegal.
2. Nulled: Marketplace for stolen accounts and hacking tools.
3. BreachForums: Shares breached data and hacking information.
4. Raid Forums: Known for breached databases and illegal data trading.
5. Exploit.in: A forum for sharing exploits and hacking tools.

We understand that there’s not enough time in a day to monitor all of your children’s activity online. That is why Safety 4 Life is on a mission to create awareness for parents, students, and teachers about the real dangers of the above referenced websites and apps. 

Did you know? Parental control apps like Aura, Bark, and Qustodio can help you monitor your child’s online activity. These tools are great for safeguarding against cyberbullying and other digital threats.

Remember: Staying engaged with your child’s digital life isn’t about restricting their freedom—it’s about creating a safe and healthy online environment.

We recommend:

• Keeping up with trending social media apps and platforms.
• Having open, ongoing conversations with your child about their online experiences.
• Setting clear, consistent guidelines for safe internet use.

By staying informed and involved, you’re not just shielding your child from harm—you’re equipping them with the tools to confidently and responsibly navigate the digital world.