Thank you for having me, sorry I was a bit slow on answering some of your questions!   For any parents who are keen to learn more about parental control features, there are some fab resources available on https://www.esafety.gov.au. ... View more

Teenagers are in a bit of a different league, as I'm sure parents of teens can attest to :) When I was a teenager, there was no way I would let my mum look at my phone! I also knew I was much more internet savvy than her - and I think that will continue to be the case for lots of families. There were plenty of ways I could hide bad behaviour if I wanted to, but I was empowered to make safe and smart decisions, and I knew I could talk to her if the proverbial hit the fan.   ... View more

I don't play Minecraft myself, but it's my understanding that if she created the server she will be able to control who joins @taokat.         ... View more

Absolutely @Ngaio-RO, and lots of companies do take that responsibility seriously. Disney sites, for example, have trained moderators and safety features to ensure the spaces are safe and appropriate for children. ... View more

Yes @Chalke5, most apps rely on user honesty. There are a couple that don't. For example, I believe in the Minecraft app there are certain features that require parental consent through credit card identification. ... View more

I will also say that's its really difficult to stay on top of the latest apps and all their settings. I'm immersed in social media every day and even I find it a challenge! If kids are taught how to use social media safely in general, and know who they can go to for help - even if they think they've done something wrong, is really important. ... View more

There is a potential for just about any digital technology to be abused, including social media apps. In my opinion, app developers and social media sites are responsible for providing safeguards such as minumum age requirements, adjustable privacy settings and reporting functions - but those only work if they're actually used! ... View more

There is a SnapMap feature on Snapchat @taokat. It should be turned off by default, but otherwise you can set it to Ghost Mode by pinching the screen on the photo view to access the settings.   ... View more

Hi @Zoesplace. As far as I'm aware, there are no (legal) mobile apps that will allow you to track the geo-location of someone elses phone. The potential for it to be misused is just too great. There are some wristband-style GPS trackers but I think it would be difficult to get a teenager to agree to wear one! ... View more

Good question @Ngaio-RO. All social media platforms will serve slightly different purposes, although some now contain pretty similar features!  If you're looking at it from a safety perspective, there will be a degree of risk involved in any platform or app that allows private contact, particularly a chat feature. However, there are settings that can be used to mitigate that risk. The majority of social media sites do have a minimum age requirement of 13. ... View more

Hello! I'm looking forward to chatting with you all!   As @Ngaio-RO mentioned, I've been working with youth communities and social media for the past seven years and before that I was using them myself, so please do feel free to ask me any questions you may have. :) ... View more