What is the SMS app and is it safe for students? | SmartSocial.com (2023)

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What is the SMS app?

  • The Text Me app offers free text messages, calls and additional phone numbers
  • Users can send text messages (like real SMS) to any phone in the US or Canada
  • By using the app, users earn points that allow voice or video calls to any phone in the US.
  • In the SMS app, users can send picture or video messages
  • Users can send unlimited text, voice, picture and video messages for free
  • Video calls are free when both users call via SMS app
  • Group messages are also available in the app.
  • Users can use the location sharing feature to share the location of their devices with their friends
  • In the SMS app, users can generate new phone numbers to share with others.
  • Voicemail is also available in the app. So when someone calls an SMS number, they can leave a voicemail.
  • Users can be notified when their message has been delivered or read
  • Text Me also offers a premium subscription

Why should parents worry?

  • In our experience, students download apps like Text Me so they can hide their activity from their parents (since it doesn't show up on their phone bill).
  • Even if a user doesn't have a cellular plan, they can still make calls and send text messages using the app.
  • Text Me offers location sharing features that can be incredibly dangerous for students
  • Location-sharing apps make it easier for criminals to target children. Predators can easily pose as children to learn where children live, where they go to school, and which places they frequent.
  • The app offers in-app purchases. So if you haven't set spending guidelines for your family, the costs can add up over time. In addition, the app encourages students to earn more points by watching ads, inviting their friends to use the app, or playing in-app games.
  • Text Me is not 911 compatible, so it's important that parents teach their children how to use their phone's built-in calling feature in an emergency.
  • Some users reported that they keep receiving random calls and messages from strangers on their phone number from Text Me app.

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(Video) Earning App For Students || Earn 3000 Daily By Sending SMS || Money SMS App || Online Earning

This is great information, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teenager!

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What is the SMS app and is it safe for students? | SmartSocial.com (15)

Josh's social media showcase was incredibly awesome. Our students have learned a lot about what children should and shouldn't do. The fact that it was such a painstaking process made it worth it.

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Advisory Director of the University

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This webinar is a very helpful insight into the apps that my students love.

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(Video) Ultimate iPad Guide for Students [2023] | Useful Tips, Accessories, Apps 📚

Index

see your board get connected

The Text Me app offers free text messages, calls and additional phone numbers.In our experience, students download such apps to hide their activities from parents (since they don't show up on their phone bill). Also, the Text Me app offers location-sharing features that can be incredibly dangerous for students.

Training video for parents and educators

What is the SMS app?

  • The Text Me app offers free text messages, calls and additional phone numbers
  • Users can send text messages (like real SMS) to any phone in the US or Canada
  • By using the app, users earn points that allow voice or video calls to any phone in the US.
  • In the SMS app, users can send picture or video messages
  • Users can send unlimited text, voice, picture and video messages for free
  • Video calls are free when both users call via SMS app
  • Group messages are also available in the app.
  • Users can use the location sharing feature to share the location of their devices with their friends
  • In the SMS app, users can generate new phone numbers to share with others.
  • Voicemail is also available in the app. So when someone calls an SMS number, they can leave a voicemail.
  • Users can be notified when their message has been delivered or read
  • Text Me also offers a premium subscription

Mobile stats for teenagers:

  • 95% of teens say they have or access a smartphone
  • These mobile connections are leading to more sustained online activity: 45% of teens now report being online almost all the time.

Fuente:Pew Research Center

Why should parents worry?

  • In our experience, students download apps like Text Me so they can hide their activity from their parents (since it doesn't show up on their phone bill).
  • Even if a user doesn't have a cellular plan, they can still make calls and send text messages using the app.
  • Text Me offers location sharing features that can be incredibly dangerous for students
  • Location-sharing apps make it easier for criminals to target children. Predators can easily pose as children to learn where children live, where they go to school, and which places they frequent.
  • The app offers in-app purchases. So if you haven't set spending guidelines for your family, the costs can add up over time. In addition, the app encourages students to earn more points by watching ads, inviting their friends to use the app, or playing in-app games.
  • Text Me is not 911 compatible, so it's important that parents teach their children how to use their phone's built-in calling feature in an emergency.
  • Some users reported that they keep receiving random calls and messages from strangers on their phone number from Text Me app.

SMS app in the news:

Text Me is a messaging app that provides users with a virtual "recorder phone number" to text and call anonymously. Text Me is not safe for children to use as it encourages anonymous texting and calling from a recorder number that cannot be traced. Anonymity opens the door to intimidation and harassment, since the recipients of the calls and text messages have no idea who they are. Some of the ads that appear in the middle of text windows are uncomfortable for young children, including dating apps, violent video games, and diet ads.
Tomás

What can parents do?

  • VisitSmartSocial.comto learn about apps like these before the news broke
  • If the student has the SMS app, ask them to remove it and encourage them to use their cell phone number (or direct message through a SmartSocial.com Green Zone app).
  • Discuss how dangerous the Text Me app can be that it doesn't positively augment fingerprinting and doesn't do anything the phone can't
  • Consider making onemobile phone contract familyset guidelines with your children before giving them access to a phone
  • Make sure your kids know they can't use the app to call 911 in an emergency
  • Set spending guidelines (these are great to outline in the cell phone family contract)
  • Make sure your kids understand the responsibilities and consequences of using a cell phone. fight regularlyWeilhas set specific guidelines for screen time
  • Talk to your kids about the dangers of location sharing and how criminals use location sharing to target victims.
  • Remind your kids to keep the message Light, Bright & Polite™ (even if you want messages to stay private) as it's easy for everyone to record the message and share it publicly on social media.

Diploma

In our experience, when students use apps like the SMS app, it's to hide their phone billing activity from their parents. Instead, students should focus on using apps that positively complement their digital footprint. Since the app offers location sharing services and users report that they regularly receive calls and messages from strangers, we do not recommend this app for students.

Do your kids have the SMS app? Comment below to let us know how you protect them!

(Video) Teen Voices: Oversharing and Your Digital Footprint

FAQs

Can teachers get in trouble for what they post on social media? ›

YES. But only for certain types of speech on social media. If you say something on social media during school hours or at a school function or event that officials believe could lead to a “substantial disruption,” your school can discipline you.

What is the teacher to parent texting app? ›

Bloomz makes it easy for teachers to securely share photos, classroom updates and reach parents instantly through messaging, as well as to coordinate events (like PT Conferences) and sign up for volunteers.

Can teachers look at students social media? ›

A: Yes. Once you post something online it's pretty much fair game for anyone (school officials, current or potential employers, law enforcement officials) to dig up and review in whatever way your social media platform's privacy settings allow. No search warrants or other special permission is required.

How can teachers and students avoid the dangers of using social networking sites? ›

Social Media Safety For Students: 11 Tips
  1. Rule 1: Verify your connections. ...
  2. Rule 2: Privatize your social life. ...
  3. Rule 3: Be judicious about what you share and consider any posting permanent. ...
  4. Rule 4: Be especially careful with posts and pictures. ...
  5. Rule 5: Avoid over-friending on social networks.
Sep 1, 2020

Can my school see what I do on my phone at home? ›

Can school Wi-Fi see your screen? It is possible for an attacker to see someone's screen using specialized software if the connection is unsecured. However, the greater risk is a school Wi-Fi admin seeing what sites you're visiting and for how long. Using a VPN would help to prevent this kind of surveillance.

What not to post on social media for teachers? ›

Don't share personal pictures or tag other teachers.

No beach pics. If any of your social media platforms are open to the public, you need to realize that students and parents will be checking them out. Sharing personal information is generally a bad idea. Tagging fellow teachers is a terrible idea.

What messaging apps are safe for kids? ›

Best Texting Apps for Kids
  • Messenger Kids. (Android, iPhone, iPad) ...
  • JusTalk Kids. (Android, iPhone, iPad) ...
  • Google Hangouts. (Android, iPhone, iPad) ...
  • Stars Messenger. (Android, iPhone, iPad) ...
  • Fennec Messenger. (Android, iPhone, iPad) ...
  • GeckoLife. (Android, iPhone, iPad)

How can I monitor my daughter's text messages? ›

AirDroid Parental Control app is an all-in-one app. It allows parents to monitor the target Android device remotely. Parents can check the live screen of their child's Android device from a distance. The app also syncs the notifications, including incoming text messages, if Notification is enabled.

What app makes kids respond to parents? ›

Well, this dad might have the answer to curb her anxieties... The American father has created an app which basically forces your kids to reply to your messages. The app, called ReplyASAP, gives parents the much-needed power to freeze their kids' phones when they don't respond to text messages.

Can my school see my social media? ›

Yes, colleges can look at the public version of your social media accounts, but they don't have some sort of secret, government-like power to access your private information. It's much more likely that your social media behavior would only be brought to their attention if it causes a stir.

Can a teacher be fired for social media posts? ›

In other words, a tweet from an account identifying the speaker as a teacher at a particular school criticizing the school or the district (or perhaps a student or student's parent) may lead to discipline or termination if it could potentially damage the employer.

Can your school track your phone? ›

The short answer is yes; schools can track your Internet activity. This is especially true if you're using a school-provided device or the school wifi network.

What are the three 3 risks associated with social networking websites? ›

The risks you need to be aware of are: cyberbullying (bullying using digital technology) invasion of privacy. identity theft.

In what ways social media is harmful for students? ›

Social media harms

However, social media use can also negatively affect teens, distracting them, disrupting their sleep, and exposing them to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of other people's lives and peer pressure. The risks might be related to how much social media teens use.

How do you keep students safe on social media? ›

Social Media Safety
  1. Know how to report, block, and filter content. ...
  2. Personalize your privacy settings. ...
  3. Pause before you post. ...
  4. Turn off geolocation. ...
  5. Use a private Internet connection. ...
  6. Talk to your friends about public posts. ...
  7. Report harassment or inappropriate content. ...
  8. Look before you click.

Can schools see your texts? ›

Yes. But only if it falls under one of the reasons allowed by school board policy or state law.

Can parents see everything you do on your phone? ›

A parent can check their kid's Google activity to know what recent activity has been done if the child is an Android user. Google Activity lists every Google app activity your child performed and the time they did it.

Can schools see incognito? ›

School or company networks: If you use a network run by your school or employer, they can see your browsing history even if you're in incognito mode. Websites you log into: When you're in incognito mode and log into a website like Twitter, you won't be anonymous.

What social media do teachers use most? ›

Not surprisingly, teachers report heavy use of Facebook. In fact, 83% of our respondents said they use Facebook, followed by 72% who use Pinterest, 54% who use Instagram, and 48% who use Twitter.

Why shouldn t teachers follow students on social media? ›

Social media connections between students and teachers can lead to disaster. In some cases, this interaction has led to misunderstandings, inappropriate relationships, or sexual contact.

What is the safest SMS app? ›

Signal is the overall winner for both iOS and Android users. Signal created an encryption protocol that is now recognized as the most secure messaging app protocol available.

What is the safest texting app? ›

Signal Private Messenger

We consider Signal the gold standard for secure messaging apps, and it's easy to see why. All of your messages are secured with E2EE and Signal is a nonprofit, so there's no reason to harvest any user data.

What is the safest messaging app for privacy? ›

1. Signal – Private Messenger for Web. Signal is listed among the best secure messaging app of 2022. Millions of users across trusted brands use this secure chat app for its free, instant, and encrypted communication which is quite easy to use.

Can I see my child's deleted texts? ›

Through Google Drive. Google Drive enables you to store an online backup of your child's data, regardless of the manufacturer of their Android device. We suggest you use Google's cloud service to get a backup of your child's phone regularly, especially if you want to have access to their deleted messages.

Can I see what my child is texting? ›

Unlike iOS, Android doesn't enable you to view your child's text messages and doesn't forward them to you either. However, you can monitor your child's text messages and social media texts using Google Family Link.

Can I block my kid from deleting text messages? ›

There is no setting to prevent a family member from deleting Text Messages. I understand what you meant and what you want to accomplish, however, that feature is not available.

What apps do kids use to hide from parents? ›

AppLock by DoMobileLab: With over 100 million downloads on Android alone, AppLock is easily one of the most popular hiding apps. It lets users store photos, videos, and files in a vault — you know, the usual — but it can also password-protect other apps.

What is the best kids mode app? ›

[2023] Top 10 Free Parental Control Apps for Android
  • IvyMobile AppLock Cell Phone Parental Controls.
  • Kaspersky Safe Kids Cell Phone Monitoring for Parents.
  • FamilyKeeper Parental Control on Android Phone.
  • Safe Lagoon Parental Monitoring Software.
  • OpenDNS Family Shield Parental Control Phone App.

Is there an app where you can see everything your kid does? ›

You can monitor your child's screen time with third-party apps like Qustodio, Norton Family, or Net Nanny. Another option is to use the built-in parental controls on your device.

Can schools see your personal search history? ›

Can school administrators see deleted history? School administrators can see both deleted and un-deleted history, so you must keep your browser clear of any browsing history. You should also be careful not to store any sensitive information on the school computer or laptop.

Can schools see your camera? ›

The surveillance technology currently in use includes software to scan students' social media posts, cameras with facial recognition and other scanning capabilities, and microphones to “detect aggression.” Schools can even track you on devices that they don't control: if you have to download a certain kind of security ...

Can schools see your photos on your phone? ›

No they can't access your phone. They can't see your pictures or anything stored on your phone.

What kind of social media posts can get you fired? ›

If you hate your job, don't post about it. One daycare employee found that out the hard way. Other posts to stay away from, misleading for false posts, offensive opinions on topical events, confidential information, posts that show you lied to your employer, racy posts, or posts that show illegal activity.

Can you get fired for what you put on social media? ›

Since California is an at-will employment state — and California Labor Code 2922 states that at-will employees “may be terminated at the will of either party on notice to the other” — employers can fire employees for anything, including their social media posts.

How often do people get fired for social media posts? ›

According to career builder, 18 percent of employers have fired employees because of something they posted on social media.

Who can see my internet activity? ›

Who Else Can Track My Browsing History? The sad truth is that anyone can view your browser history and search history. Many websites use cookies that follow you and recommend items based on your search history. Governments can track you if you do something to alert them.

Can the school WiFi see my messages? ›

The simple answer is YES! Everything you do on the laptop is stored. Even if you use incognito. In addition, if you are using the school's WiFi, everything you do (regardless of whether it is your device or the district's) could be monitored.

How to bypass school WiFi? ›

The most effective ways to bypass internet restrictions at school are:
  1. Using a VPN;
  2. Using a proxy;
  3. Using a smart DNS service.
Dec 5, 2022

What is the greatest threat of social networking? ›

Social media can give attackers a platform to impersonate trusted people and brands or the information they need carry out additional attacks, including social engineering and phishing.

What are two 2 distinct risks that you would face due to social networks? ›

Radicalization, stalking, identity theft, personal attacks, cancelling, phishing, social media addiction, and misuse of information are some risks and negative impacts faced by social media users.

What the three 3 things you try to avoid doing when using social media? ›

10 things you need to STOP doing with your Social Media
  • 1) Stop pushing out quantity over quality. ...
  • 2) STOP Writing Posting Repeating. ...
  • 3) STOP posting without a strategy. ...
  • 4) STOP being cluttered with your content. ...
  • 5) STOP remaining silent. ...
  • 6) Stop the giveaways! ...
  • 7) STOP hiding your personality.
Feb 9, 2021

What is the dark side of social media? ›

3. These days, it feels like social media is being used to divide people rather than connect them. (In fairness, the same could also be said of traditional media.) Social media does seem to be particularly effective at stirring up anger, jealousy, indignation, and other negative emotions.

What are five harmful effects of social media? ›

Social media may promote negative experiences such as:
  • Inadequacy about your life or appearance. ...
  • Fear of missing out (FOMO) and social media addiction. ...
  • Isolation. ...
  • Depression and anxiety. ...
  • Cyberbullying. ...
  • Self-absorption. ...
  • A fear of missing out (FOMO) can keep you returning to social media over and over again.

Why students should be careful on social media? ›

Students should be careful about what they put online in order to avoid their social media presence being used against them. When students post illegal or inappropriate messages or pictures to social media, they run the risk of colleges and employers seeing these posts and rejecting their acceptance or employment.

Why students should be careful about what they put on social media? ›

You will have ample opportunities to express your values, beliefs and service through in-person and online conversations and behavior. If your activities online go against what you tell in person, the people around you could lose trust in you, thus limiting the opportunities you have in the future.

Can teachers get fired for what they post on social media? ›

In other words, a tweet from an account identifying the speaker as a teacher at a particular school criticizing the school or the district (or perhaps a student or student's parent) may lead to discipline or termination if it could potentially damage the employer.

Can someone be fired for what they post on social media? ›

In general, employers have the power to fire employees for any lawful reason–including for what they post on social media.

Can a teacher be held accountable for material posted on personal social media? ›

Teachers can be held accountable for any social media posts no matter when or where they are made.

Can teachers post pictures on social media? ›

Never, ever, ever post photos of your students on social media! Each parent has their own personal beliefs about posting their child's likeness online. Some parents overshare while others don't want their children online at all. It is not your place to post their children online.

Can you get fired for private text messages? ›

While it is unprofessional and rude, unless you have an employment contract or the real reason for the termination is an illegal reason, as discussed below, firing via text message is perfectly legal. Simply being fired by text message does not give you a legal claim against the employer.

Is it illegal for teachers to post students on social media? ›

There may be school policies that prohibit the sharing of student identities online, but the violation of a school policy does not equate to a violation of the law. It is best practice for all schools to obtain consent for sharing photos of students online before doing so, however.

What percentage of people get fired from social media posts? ›

Career Builder found that 18% of employers have fired people because of something they posted on social media, and at least 70% of employers screen candidates' profiles before hiring. Whether you're using social media at work or at home, ask yourself if you're comfortable with your boss seeing your post.

What types of things should you avoid posting online? ›

Here is a list of five things to avoid posting online to help protect your digital identity.
  • Travel Plans. Think twice before you post travel plans or share an upcoming trip. ...
  • Personal information. ...
  • Your location. ...
  • Confidential information. ...
  • Photos and videos that share more than you intended.
Jan 25, 2023

Can I get fired for saying I hate my job? ›

It's illegal for an employee to be fired for a post about working conditions, whether it's pay, hours, assignments, difficult supervisors, dress code, or any other issue. So employers shouldn't try to restrict workers' freedom of speech or retaliate if there's a post they don't like.

What sort of social media posts should not get a person fired? ›

In general, employers cannot fire you for posting: Truthful statements about working conditions, like harassment or unsafe working conditions. Comments that indicate your interest in joining or supporting a union.

What are examples of teacher ethics violations? ›

The most common ethics violations involved non-school-related criminal activity, sexual misconduct with students, failure to disclose previous crimes or license sanctions, physical aggression toward students, and endangering student health or safety.

What are ethical violations made by a teacher? ›

Unethical conduct includes engaging in or permitting harassment or misconduct toward a student, soliciting or encouraging inappropriate written, verbal, electronic, or physical relationships with a student.

Is it illegal to post photos on social media? ›

The First Amendment protects their right to share the images they want. Exceptions exist for copyright violations or illegal pornography, including revenge porn.

Can teachers use images from the Internet? ›

Fair use allows certain uses of copyrighted works without obtaining permission from the copyright owner. Fair use allows copying of copyrighted material in an educational setting, such as a teacher or a student using images in the classroom.

What Cannot be posted on social media? ›

Racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination should have no place in your life. Even if you're joking, think twice before sharing something that could be seen as bigotry. And then don't share it.

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