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by Jessica Lee
Oct. 15, 2023
As a mother of a fifth-grader, I have a laundry list of concerns about how his world—and mine—will shift as he transitions from the safety of elementary school to the hormone-fueled frenzy of middle school next year. I worry about the typical middle school challenges: managing assignments, navigating the social hierarchy, and, of course, those ever-present hormones.
However, I also find myself fretting over issues I never faced as a teen, with social media topping the list. My son is already somewhat engaged online. We have ongoing discussions about internet safety (the golden rule: never share personal information) and the importance of kindness in the digital realm. I’ve installed parental controls on his devices, and he willingly shares his passwords with me so I can monitor his online activities.
But I know these precautions can only go so far, especially as he grows older.
So, you can imagine my horror when I learned about a rising trend in social media that poses significant risks for our kids: anonymous apps. According to reports from reputable sources, these apps allow teens to post and comment anonymously, often resulting in hurtful and unkind interactions. As the Huffington Post points out, “Anonymous apps are notorious hubs for cyberbullying because kids feel emboldened to say things they wouldn’t normally.”
The most pressing concern is how these anonymous platforms can enable bullying. But there are other dangers too, such as sharing too much personal information and potentially connecting with unsafe individuals. Not to mention the inappropriate content that can easily surface on these platforms.
To be honest, my grasp of teen app culture doesn’t extend far beyond Snapchat (which, by the way, is also rife with bullying), and I primarily use it for those cute filters that cleverly hide my tired eyes.
Trending Anonymous Apps to Watch
To keep you informed, I’ve done some research on two of the most concerning anonymous apps currently trending, so you can take action if your tween or teen downloads one of them.
Sarahah
This app seems to be stirring up the most trouble and is currently a huge hit. Last summer, it climbed to the top of the iOS App Store and boasted 300 million users. Initially designed for sending anonymous feedback to employers, it has morphed into a tool for teens to send anonymous messages to each other. After downloading, users share their profile links, and before you know it, a flood of anonymous messages comes pouring in.
Some reviews are deeply troubling, with comments like, “I’m getting suicidal thoughts from this app,” and, “My friend who is suicidal is receiving messages like why are u still alive kill urself already.” This is absolutely horrifying. If my kids ever asked to download this app, it would be an emphatic NOPE. Hard pass.
TBH
Then there’s TBH, which stands for “to be honest.” On the surface, it appears to be an innocent app. Marketed as “the only anonymous app with positive vibes,” users answer pre-set questions about each other, such as who is “Hotter than the sun” or who is “Most likely to get into Harvard.”
However, it doesn’t take a genius to realize that questions like these can quickly turn into a popularity contest, alienating those who don’t receive validation. For young teens already grappling with insecurities, this could be a recipe for disaster. No, thank you.
While these are the two most prominent anonymous apps currently, others like Kiwi, Ask.fm, and Kik are also worth monitoring. Anonymous apps have come and gone (remember YikYak?), and it’s inevitable that new ones will continue to emerge.
Key Takeaways for Parents
The key takeaway is that parents must stay informed about the digital landscape and its potential pitfalls. Open communication with our kids about their online experiences is crucial, as is setting clear guidelines for acceptable usage.
Ultimately, we can’t wish technology away. It’s an integral part of our children’s world now, and while we might try to shield them, they will likely encounter these apps anyway. Teaching them responsible usage and ensuring they know we’re always available for support is vital. Above all, we need to instill the value of kindness—both in real life and online.
For more information on navigating these challenges, check out other resources such as this privacy policy or Make a Mom’s guide on home insemination kits. You can also find excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination at Johns Hopkins.
In summary, as parents, we need to be vigilant about the apps our children are using, especially those that allow anonymity. It’s crucial to have ongoing conversations about online safety and kindness.