Is Kids Chat Safe For My Teens?

The widespread intention of teen chat rooms is to provide a virtual space for teenagers to form friendships and build connections through online chat functions. While statistics specific to the popularity of teen chat rooms nowadays are hard to find, a 2023 Pew Research Center survey reveals that nearly half of the U.S. teen survey respondents use the internet "almost constantly."

Online chat rooms are governed by a 'rules and regulations' page, which indicates each user's rights and responsibilities and who and what is prohibited from the site. This sort of governance guarantees kids will be able to navigate these spaces safely and securely, right?

Wrong.

Parents, did you know that according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.), 500,000 predators are searching social media platforms, gaming apps and chat rooms for children to connect with? This alarming statistic means that it's time to have a conversation with your kid about online safety if you haven't already, especially if they have ever mentioned using platforms like 'Kids Chat.'

What is Kids Chat?

Kids Chat is an online chatroom that can be joined free of charge by account holders or anonymous guests. Site users can interact with each other through text chat and emoticons.

While promoted strictly for kids aged 13-19, Kids Chat has been controversial for attracting and facilitating usage by people much older. Kids Chat F.A.Q. #3 states that you "absolutely have to" follow the rules of the site as you agree upon them before entry to the chatroom is permitted, but enforcement of these rules is minimal. There are no additional measures in place to confirm nor deny the validity of what each site user agrees on.

F.A.Q. #12 discusses how although moderators try to cover the chat room as much as possible, there isn't one online every second of the day. This means that a lot of free-range activity likely takes place on Kids Chat.

Is Kids Chat safe?

Kids Chat is not inherently safe or dangerous to its users, but it can act as a breeding ground for bullying, threats, and predatory behaviour. The lack of supervision on this site, combined with kids' general naivety, can be a recipe for danger.

Subrosa's C.E.O. John Price says there is no foolproof solution to this dangerous combination. "Usually, these apps don't have the personnel or the capabilities on the tech side to effectively moderate them," he says.

Price also highlights privacy concerns for children. "They (kids) don't really understand the importance of protecting personal information," he says, "that can all be exploited by someone malicious."

According to the Child Crime Prevention & Safety Center, 13-15-year-old teenagers are amongst the age group of children most likely to be groomed or manipulated by strangers online. The F.B.I. reveals that over 50% of people in that age category are victims of sexual exploitation on the internet.

What are the benefits of using Kids Chat and chatrooms alike?

While alarm bells are likely going off in every parent's head after reading the risks associated with teen chat rooms, there are actually benefits to spaces like Kids Chat.

For kids who use this app without ill intentions, there are opportunities to meet and talk to other kids with similar interests or enjoy the same hobbies. Conversations between kids with similar interests and ages are great for building social skills.

Another benefit of these chat rooms—one that may be disguised as quite the opposite—is the opportunity they present parents to have important (but sometimes awkward) conversations with their children on internet safety and stranger danger. Since our societal reliance on digital technologies has trickled down onto children, educating yours on how to navigate the internet safely is crucial, and we have many tips to help you do so.

How can parents ensure their teens' safety in chat rooms?

Aaron Engel, chief information security officer at ExpressVPN says there are two main ways parents can make their kids' online interactions as safe as possible: parental controls and applications and clear, open communication with them about the dangers of the online landscape. He encourages parents not to go the route of straight-up fear-mongering.

"I think it's really about teaching children to be careful, to be cautious," says Engel. He advises parents to sit their child(ren) down and say, "these are some things that I want you to be aware of ... if you see this kind of stuff, let me know - you won't have done anything bad."

Price emphasizes the importance of guidance and oversight. "If you can't see what your kids are doing on those apps, I would strongly recommend against letting them use them," he says.

The importance of adult supervision for these chat rooms is amplified by the fact that kids nowadays are typically pretty computer-literate, meaning there is a higher chance they could figure out how to evade parental controls.

Engel says that, although not always true, the average parent is likely less technologically savvy than their children in the age range of 10-20. "There are many applications designed to filter and control children," he says. Once the child knows what's being used on them, they just need to Google a bypass, then the control becomes useless."

What are some safe alternatives to teen chat rooms?

Since internet safety is nearly impossible to ensure, it is important to teach your kids to proceed with caution whenever they engage in online activities, as threats on the internet come far and wide.

Engel says that cyber threats and cybersecurity issues have increased over the years. "As people become more technologically advanced, they become better at scamming people and using the internet and technology to take advantage," he says. He adds that the prevalence of technological devices in our society means more people are vulnerable to being attacked in that way.

If your kids want to make new friends and/or you'd like them to meet others their age with similar interests, activity groups and online communities on apps like Facebook and Instagram are something to consider. These online social spaces allow people to connect through some sort of commonality (e.g., geographical proximity, interest in the same activity) in a more-than-likely non-anonymous manner.

A study published on ScienceDirect reveals that anonymity reduces individual self-awareness and may influence individuals' exercise of moral courage—a type of prosocial behaviour with a high social cost but little reward. Apps like Facebook and Instagram require users to make an account before they are permitted to use the platform, reducing the prevalence of anonymity.

How to recognize signs of unsafe online behavior?

IMOM.com lists a variety of 'red flags' to look out for that may indicate your child is engaging in risky internet behaviour. Examples include:

Isolation and detachment

If your child intentionally spends less time around you and is discreet about why, this could be a sign that they are engaging in behaviour that they know would not get the parent's stamp of approval.

Lying

Are you finding yourself catching your child lying more frequently, especially about what they're doing online? This may mean your child is embarrassed about something they've done and are trying to hide it.

A changed relationship with technology

Have you noticed that your internet history is being erased more often? Are passwords being changed? It might be time to start closely monitoring their internet activity.

It is crucial to have conversations on internet safety with your kids at their initial points of usage to avoid these kinds of issues.

Engel emphasizes the importance of educating teens and kids on grooming behaviours. As mentioned before, teens are most susceptible to online manipulation of that sort, so they need to know what to watch out for to avoid it.

If you're worried that your child's online behaviour has gotten out of hand, there are professional services in place to help. Protectkidsonline.ca provides parents with all the necessary information to inform themselves about emerging risks and issues online and where and how to report concerning online behaviour. However, you are advised to contact your local police if you are concerned that your child is in immediate danger.