Tween Tech: What Parents Should Know About ‘Jott’

Hey there, fellow parents! Let’s chat about Jott, an app that’s making waves with tweens and teens. So, what’s the deal? For starters, it’s super popular because it doesn’t need a data plan—yep, totally free! Plus, it doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi or cell service; messages go straight from device to device, a bit like two kids using cans and string but way more high-tech. Imagine the whole school connected at once!

Why It Matters:

Texting is still the go-to online activity for our kids. A whopping 87% of teens text every day, far outpacing platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Jott can be used on iPods or iPads, so your kid doesn’t even need a phone number to join in.

User Stats:

Jared Thompson, the app’s creator, shared that it currently boasts around half a million monthly users! It’s especially popular among junior high students who might not have smartphones or data plans yet.

How Kids Use It:

To get started, kids download the app, join their school’s network, and can see who else at their school is on Jott. They can send messages to each other within a 100-foot radius of their school.

Reasons to Relax a Bit:

Jared reassures parents that Jott was built by two dads of middle-schoolers, so they’ve thought this through. When kids sign up, they use their real name and age, which helps match them with nearby schools. A 17-year-old won’t be able to connect with middle schoolers, for example. Also, users can validate each other, and if someone tries to impersonate a student (like a principal did once!), the students can flag them and get them removed. So, this adds an extra layer of safety from online predators. Plus, with real names required, it makes it tougher for bullies to hide behind anonymity. If someone’s bothering your kid, they can easily block them—much safer than sharing a phone number!

Reasons for Concern:

Now, let’s not get too comfy. Distraction during school hours is a valid concern; if kids couldn’t text before because of data limits, that’s no longer an issue. And while Jott has features like disappearing messages and screenshot detection, if a kid sends something they shouldn’t, it can still be screenshotted and shared.

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In summary, Jott is an exciting app for tweens and teens that allows them to connect without needing a traditional phone plan. While it offers some safety features, parents should still keep an eye on potential distractions and the risk of inappropriate sharing.