Kids as young as eight or nine years old are running around with phones, these days.
Many of them love to download applications for things like texting and taking pictures, but some of them are more dangerous than others. Dr. Joe Austerman is a pediatric psychiatrist at Cleveland Clinic children's. He says some of the most dangerous apps for kids are photo-sharing apps because they can make kids feel like they can send inappropriate pictures without consequences.
"A lot of these applications tout themselves as being one, anonymous and two that these photos will be destroyed, but we've learned very quickly that kids learn how to save these photos and save keep a permanent record of them," warned Austerman.
He says there are also apps that allow you to text a large group of people at once, not just a friend, or two. Austerman warns parents this becomes dangerous because the audience is much bigger and could include a predator. (Read the 10 apps parents should know.)
Other apps will let people know where a text message is originating, so your child's location can be revealed, again, to potential strangers. Austerman says the best way for your kids to understand the potential dangers of an app on their phone is for you to explain it to them.
"You need to know what is out there and it is ever-changing, so you have to keep yourself educated," advised Austerman. "You need to let your child know the dangers of these apps and educate them on what the dangers of these applications are."
Austerman says it's important for parents to monitor their children when it comes to internet and phone use. He says to lay down the groundwork before their phone is activated.