Annual Smartphone Safety Update

Annual Smartphone
Safety Update
The Parent Advisor
March 2015
Issue 19
In This Month’s Issue… Smartphone
Apps
It’s Not Your To Know
Parent’s Marijuana!
Teens reviving drug-­‐‑free event for their peers!
“OLD” APPS TO KNOW
KiK
uses a smartphone's data plan or WiFi to transmit and receive messages, a
feature that appeals to individuals looking to avoid text messaging rates set by
phone service providers (and parents). Kik offers fast text messaging service and
also allows users to share photos, sketches, voice messages, and other content.
Kik Messenger uses a username instead of a phone number, allowing for more
privacy than other forms of text messaging.
POOF
allows you to hide and unhide icons on your SpringBoard (your iPhone interface).
The apps are still there, but cannot be seen unless you know how to access
them. Poof requires the phone to be “JailBroken”, so if this may be a red flag app
if you find it on your child’s phone.
YIKYAK
is an anonymous social media app. It is available for iOS and Android and it allows
people anonymously to create and view "Yaks" within a 10 mile radius. It differs from
other anonymous sharing apps such as Whisper in that it is intended for sharing
primarily with those in close proximity to the user, potentially making it more intimate
and relevant for people reading the posts.
SNAPCHAT
differs from most mobile communication apps in that it specializes in sending
messages with a particular feature--they disappear. (However, there are ways
around this). The once thought short-lived nature of Snapchat messages has
made the app controversial, yet popular. The company is valued at about 10B
Dollars.
For information on
trainings, classes,
academies, or the Neural
Activity program, visit us at
www.safeteensamerica.org
or www.neuralactivity.org
NEW APPS TO KNOW
See you next month!
NEW APPS TO KNOW
WHISPER
is an online community for sharing secrets. Users are entertained by stories about
everything from embarrassing moments to guilty pleasures from anonymous
users. The app organizes secrets into categories including confessions,
relationships, military, and faith. It even alerts users of trending searches with
keywords such as “caught” and “my parents.”
SECRET
is an iOS and Android app that allows people to share messages anonymously within
their circle of friends, friends of friends, and publicly. It differs from other anonymous
sharing apps such as PostSecret, Whisper, and Yik Yak in that it is intended for sharing
primarily with friends, potentially making it more interesting and addictive for people
reading the updates.!
LINE
is more than just a messaging app. Yes, the app does allow free messaging, group
chats, and stickers on all smartphone devices and even on a PC. But, users can also
connect with popular celebrities, brands, and TV shows to receive exclusive news and
coupons only found through Line. The app also allows free real-time voice, video
calls, photo, and video sharing with other app users.
SPACE TAG
is a breakthrough social media platform that is about to launch. The app
allows users to tag specific places and objects leaving notes for themselves or
others. The app recognizes any users’ location from the camera on the
smartphone. This social network will be a big one from ShopCloud, the Israeli
startup behind Inside Navigation providing indoor location identification with
sub-meter accuracy, using only sensors on a modern smartphone.
WECHAT
is a media-centric messaging app that connects users across
platforms.BuzzFeed has recently teamed up with WeChat to deliver top
viral content and news to followers. Predicting the future of content
sharing lies within messaging platforms; BuzzFeed hopes the
preemptive partnership will help lead the shift in the way we share
content.
NOKNOK
is an anonymous reputation app that tell users how their friends saved them as a
phone contact. This provides interesting insight on how we are labeled by friends,
family, coworkers, and even romantic acquaintances. With the most recent version
of the app, users are able to chat with name givers while they remain anonymous.
Users are able to ask them why they labeled them a certain way and who they are.
Just FYI… Palcohol
I’ve spoken to a few of you about the inevitable release of a powdered form of alcohol… well, it looks like many states will see it in the Spring of 2015. I’ll discuss this more when we cover Trends in Alcohol and Common Drugs. In the meantime, I wanted to show you what you will be looking for in a few months. Just FYI… Palcohol
The product is called “Palcohol” and will come in a 4” by 6” package. According to the distributor, the package contains the alcohol equivalent of a shot of vodka. The main purpose of packaging alcohol in this way is convenience and discretion. Beyond adding water and drinking the product, the powder may be snorted or placed in food. To quickly address the idea of snorting this product, I’m not sure this will be an issue. We know teens will try it, but they will have to snort A LOT of powder to receive the equivalent of 1 shot of Vodka. A lot remains to be seen and I suggest we take this in stride and simply address it as yet another way of ingesting alcohol and focus prevention efforts along those lines. Please email us with further questions…
Mesa County’s Neural Activity teens want to help their peers
make wise decisions when it comes to drug/alcohol use,
so they’re hosting Soberhero Party 2015!
They believe there is a serious drug problem in our community and that they
can solve it. So, rather than waiting to be asked, waiting for permission, waiting
for some perfect strategic plan, waiting for tragedy to strike, or waiting one
more day to actually do something about it, they’re following ancient wisdom
and beginning the journey of a thousand miles with a single step.
Who are you walking with?
Soberhero Party 2015
Open to any Grand Valley student heading into their Junior or
Senior Year, plus the Class of 2015!
Thursday, May 21 from 8 – 11 p.m.
Lincoln Park Pool
$15/student– includes pool/slide admission, t-shirt & meal
Join us for a positive, safe, and drug-free evening of swimming, sliding, games,
contests, challenges, dancing, karaoke, and SO MUCH MORE!
Stay tuned for details on great giveaways and how you can enter to WIN!
We couldn’t do this
without help – we’re
grateful for our
Justice League!
Rocky Mountain Promotional Products
Primary Care Partners
Crime Stoppers of Mesa County
Western Rockies Federal Credit Union
Townsquare Media
KJCT News 8
Rise Above Colorado
Angela Barnes, Attorney at Law
Deputy Sheriff’s Association
Firefly Entertainment
Adagio Dance Academy
Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
City of Grand Junction
Lifestyle Photography Booth
Bananas Fun Park
CMU Scholarship Students
R Quickcharge
Grand Junction Police Department
Mark & Amy Ashman
Rose & Yeulin Willett
Brett Rosenbaum
Think Soberhero is a good
idea? We still need help
making this a great event!
Join our Justice League!
We’d love your support to help make Soberhero Party awesome.
Anything you can do to help us would be appreciated!
You can make a personal contribution here: soberheroparty.causevox.com
Or you can become a sponsor by contacting us at 970-260-7002 to learn more
about the valuable sponsorships the teens have put together for those who are
willing to help them host this event for their peers.
To learn more about Soberhero, visit www.soberheroparty.com.