You might not police your teen’s phone with great rigor, but maybe you should.
It’s easier than ever for a kid with an iTunes account to get in over his head—sex, violence, drinking, gambling, poor body image—you name it and you can find an app that supports very adult behavior.
Here are 10 you might want to look for, and if you find, either delete or discuss, but don’t ignore.
BYOB Chicago (free). If you’re worried about older teens drinking, check for this app. It’s popular with the 17- to 20-year-old crowd, because BYOB restaurants (especially the smaller places, according to my underage sources) rarely check IDs.
Call of Duty: Black Opp Zombies ($6.99). Not only is this game extremely violent, but it’s also expensive—and it’s not just the $7 your teen will spend to download it. To help accomplish your mission, you can buy points, starting at $.99 for 12,000 points. It adds up quickly.
Grindr (free). This app lets you find a nearby guy for sex, which is not how you want a gay teen to first learn about relationships. The potential for exploitation is off the charts, so make sure this isn’t on your kid’s phone.
Hangtime! ($.99). What could possibly go wrong with an app that encourages kids to throw their phone in the air? The app measures how long the phone is airborne. Slick, until you miss. The cost of a new iPhone is not included in the $.99.
iBeer (free). Hilarious! Turns your iPhone into a beer that you can pretend drink. While better than a 16-year-old drinking the real thing, the scold in me says no if you’re not 21.
Lulu (free). This app lets girls review and rate guys anonymously, which could be seen as pro-feminist, but is actually just depressing. Also, the level of sexual humor and detail go beyond that of which you’d like your high school gal to participate.
Plastic Surgery Simulator ($1.99). A “powerful photo distortion” app that lets teens morph body parts into perfection. Like it’s not tough enough to be a teen and not have grown into your nose. Delete and replace with Affirmations!
Poker by Zynga (free). There are lots of poker apps out there, but this is the most popular one. Even if the app doesn’t require a credit card, it’s still getting teens into the habit of gambling. Play money today; real money tomorrow.
Snapchat (free). Most parents have heard about this app, but it’s worthy of inclusion on this list because it lets kids send messages and photos that erase in 10 seconds or less. Harmless fun or a nasty problem depending on how it’s used. (Also keep an eye out for ZipaClip, less well known, but same idea.)
Vine (free). This app let’s you create and share short videos with your iPhone. Of course, there was an immediate flood of pornographic images shared through the site. So while your teen might be using it to record the waves rolling in on Lake Michigan, double check.
Note: Most of these apps are rated 17+, but as long as your child checks the box saying he or she is over 17, the app will download.
We know there are more apps that are trouble with a capital “T,” so comment below.
