Are you concerned about your kid’s online safety? If that is true, then you may feel it important to look for apps like Tumblr that may end up exposing your children to age-inappropriate content. Although there are thousands of such alternative apps in the market today, some of the apps with higher chances of exposing your kids to such content include but are not limited to Reddit, Discord, 4chan, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Whisper, Kik and Omegle among others. In this article, you’ll learn the importance of blocking such app and even how to go about it.
Is Tumblr safe for kids to use?
No, Anyone with first-hand experience with Tumblr knows that this app is not safe for kids. This is particularly due to the fact that the app enables its users to access user-generated content, including explicit or inappropriate. Although Tumler doesn’t feature specific tools for reporting exposure to inappropriate content or even community guidelines, the sheer diversity and volume of posts make it quite difficult to ensure a safe environment for kids and teens. Besides, the anonymous nature of the platform has a higher chance of exposing children to higher chances of potential risks, such as exposure to mature or harmful themes, cyberbullying, and unwanted purchases. It’s however, the parent’s duty and responsibility to ensure that all these concerns are factored in before allowing your teens and kids to use Tumblr and other similar apps.
Here’s a breakdown of why Tumblr is not safe for teens and kids
- Exposure to mature content. Although Tumblr features content filtering mechanisms and tools, the system is far away from being perfect. Teens can easily come across sexual content, graphic violence or even disturbing imagery.
- Anonymity. Tumbler is like a double-edged sword platform. Fostering both creative expressions but also bringing an avenue for predators or cyberbullies to target teens and kids.
- Misleading Communities. There are plenty of communities whose main theme involves misleading topics such as eating disorders and self-harm, which are not ideal, especially for developing young children.
- Interaction with strangers. There are higher chances of teens to interact with online strangers on Tumblr. This is particularly true because the platform is an open avenue where people can exchange private messages which put kids at a risk of interacting with online strangers.
10 Apps like Tumblr that parents should block for your kids
Tumblr being one of the most popular social media platforms does not operate in isolation. There are hundreds of similar apps that serve almost the same purpose as Tumblr.While the app comes with an open avenue where teens from all corners of the world can express their inner self, it also comes with its unique set of challenges. From the risk of exposure to inappropriate and mature content to cyberbullying.
Reddit is among the most popular social news aggregation platforms of our times. While most of its subreddits are popularly known as communities that only feature positive and informative topics, there are however a number of subreddits that expose teens to explicit content. Consider blocking this platform from your kids device at any cost.
4chan
Although 4chan is primarily an image-based board, the fact that everyone can post their comments and share images freely makes it more questionable about teens’ safety on the platform. Besides, the platform is also known for its offensive content thus making it a less safe space for teens and kids. Take a bold step and block it from your kids device today.
Whisper
Do you feel like you have some confessions and secrets you can share with someone without the fear of being judged? If that’s true then Whisper is the right place to share your secrets . Whisper is a social networking platform that primarily enables its users to share their deep confessions and secrets. Although the platform offers a great avenue for teens to open up, it has however been accused of facilitating teens to share inappropriate content, cyberbullying and stranger interaction.
Ask.fm
Do you have a number of questions that you’d like to get answers from someone else who is either encountering the same issues with yours or is simply willing to help you? Then Ask.fm is the app to visit. As the name suggests, Ask.fm is a simple question-and-answer social media platform . It enables its users to ask anonymous questions and receive anonymous answers from the online community. However, there are high chances of stranger interaction, cyberbullying and avenues to share mature content among teens.
Omegle
Omegle is a video chatting platform that’s very popular among teens. Since chats can happen with anyone on the platform, chances of teens interacting with cyberbullies, mature content or interacting with online strangers are high. Parents should consider blocking this app from their teens device without hesitation.
Chatroulette
Chatroulette in all ways similar to Omegle platform. The high chances of teens video chatting with strangers makes this app unfit for kids and teens.
Kik
Kik is a messaging platform and usually preferred by teens because of its confidentiality. The app enables teens to share their secret messages without anyone knowing about such conversation. However, the app has a bad history of cyberbullying and the sharion of explicit and age- inappropriate content.
Yik Yak
Yik Yak is a simple location-based platform that enables its users to share their current location with others on the platform. Although the platform is no longer available in some regions, it offers an avenue where teens and kids can communicate anonymously with other users near their location. This can lead to teens interacting with bad guys on social platforms or even encountering harassment in the form of cyberbullying.
Discord
Discord is a text and voice chatting app that’s very common among teens who love games. Although the Discord is to a great extent safe for teens, it however offers a platform where teens can interact with peers in servers that may end up showing explicit content.
Instagram is among the most popular photo and video sharing apps among modern teens. While the app has made tremendous steps to remove explicit content on the platform, there is still some risk of exposure to such content.
The above list is not exhaustive as new apps are popping up every day. It’s therefore important for you as a caring parent to work around the clock to keep your kids safe online. This can involve using third-party parental control apps like FlashGet Kids parental control app to monitor the activities on your kids device. FlashGet Kids app can also help in blocking access to inappropriate content by blocking apps like tumblr on your kids device.
How to block apps like Tumblr for your kids?
Here’s how to use the FlashGet Kids app on your kids device. Blocking apps like Tumblr to ensure your child’s online safety can be effectively managed with parental control apps like FlashGet Kids.
Here are the steps to download and use FlashGet Kids to block apps:
How to Download and Install FlashGet Kids?
Here are simple steps on how you can download, install and use the app to block apps like tumblr from your kids device.
Step 1. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and search “FlashGet Kids app.”
Step 2. Download and Install: Click on the FlashGet Kids app and then tap “Download” or “Install” to add it to the device.
Step 3. Once installed, open the FlashGet Kids app.
Step 4. Sign up for an account if you don’t already have one. You might need to enter some personal details and set up a password.
Step 5. Download FlashGet Kids for child app.
Step 6. Bind the devices using digital code
Step 7. Give necessary permissions and configure settings
Step 8. To use FlashGet Kids App Blocker, go to “Usage Limits,” > “App Time Limits” to block apps like Tumblr.
Final thoughts
As the number of social media platforms continues to grow, it’s becoming very important for parents to worry about what activities are taking place on their kids’ devices. To help address this challenge, it’s important to consider using parental control apps like FlashGet Kids app to block unwanted apps on their devices and also monitor their online activities in real-time.
