Parents have been warned that a popular app that many kids use for school projects and can actually be used to send private messages between children.
Parenting tweens and teens is scary at the moment. Social media is a big topic of contention right now, with talk of bans, and we are so aware of the damage social media, online gaming and private messaging apps can be for our vulnerable kids.
From bullying to sharing inappropriate content, what our children are consuming when our backs are turned is extremely concerning.
So we do our best to protect them, setting parental limits, not allowing smartphones, banning online video games and even WhatsApp is a no-no for many parents.
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However, kids will find a way around our rules if they really want to and there is a new way that have found to message each other.
Here is what parents need to know.
The app kids are now messaging on
Kids are messaging each other on Canva, an app that can be used to for so many things including editing photos, making invitations, creating CVs and presentations. So it is very likely that they will use it for school projects.
One mum took to Instagram with a PSA for other parents about this, because she only recently found out about it and was deeply concerned. Wei Lin is a mum of two teenage boys and she explained exactly how kids can message each other using Canva.
All they have to do is open a shared slide on the app and ‘chat’ in real time by typing on it. ‘To any adult glancing over it looks like any school work or a project they’re working on’.
Not just that but Google Docs and any other live share platform work the same way.
Why is it concerning?
You may be wondering exactly why this is a problem, and for many kids, it may not be. However, when chats go under the radar or are hidden from parents it gives more opportunity for concerning behaviour.
This includes:
- Bullying
- Inappropriate jokes
- Sexual conversations
- Bad language
- Or simply talking too much when they should be working
‘Scary’
Other parents took to the comments to thank the mum for sharing the warning and so many were unaware of the risk. ‘Thanks for sharing! Yes, it’s scary if it’s done under the radar and behind our backs. And I agree open conversation is the key,’ said one.
Another added: ‘As a therapist working with children and teenagers- I so agree with this! I’ve had so many conversations with parents about the role of social media with their children. Thanks for sharing!’ while a third wrote: ‘Today years old when I learned this too! Thanks for sharing!!’
