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16 apps parents should look out for on their kids' phones

"We encourage parents to stay up to date on the different social media apps or games their kids are using and discuss online safety," said PCSO on Facebook.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — (The video above is from a previous report)

School Resource officers in Florida have put together a list of apps that parents should be aware of moving into the new school year.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office says parents should keep an eye on these 16 apps on their child's phone.

"We encourage parents to stay up to date on the different social media apps or games their kids are using and discuss online safety," said PCSO on Facebook.

RELATED: 'Sharenting': Why you should think twice before posting about your children

  • Calculator Secret Folder: Specifically meant to hide photos and videos. According to app store descriptions, it features password protection, decoy videos and alarm settings.
  • MeetMe: A dating social media app that connects people based on location. Users are encouraged to meet in person.
  • WhatsApp: A messaging app that allows texts, video calls, photo sharing and voicemails with users worldwide.
  • Bumble: Similar to Tinder, but requires women to make the first contact. Law enforcement says kids and teens can create fake accounts and falsify their age.
  • Live.Me: A live-streaming app that uses geolocation to share videos. The sheriff's office said users can earn "coins" to "pay" minors for photos.
  • Ask.FM: The sheriff's office said this app lets users ask anonymous questions and is known for cyberbullying.
  • Grindr: A dating app geared toward the LGBTQ community based on user location.
  • TikTok: App popular with kids lets users create and share short videos. Law enforcement said the app has "very limited privacy controls" and users can be exposed to cyberbullying and explicit content.
  • Snapchat: One of the most popular social media apps in the world, Snapchat lets users take and share photos and videos. The app also lets people see your location.
  • Holla: This self-proclaimed "addicting" video chat app lets users meet people in seconds. Law enforcement said users have seen racial slurs and explicit content.
  • Skout: A location-based dating app that is supposed to prohibit people under 17 from sharing private photos. However, police say kids can easily create an account with a different age.
  • Kik: Police say kids can bypass traditional text messaging features using this app. Kik "gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime," the sheriff's office said. The Kik app is actually going away, although there's no clear date for when it will shut down.
  • Whisper: An anonymous social network that lets users share secrets with strangers. Police say it also shows users' location so people can meet up.
  • Hot or Not: The app lets users rate profiles, check out people in their area and chat with strangers. Police say the goal of the app is to hook up.
  • Badoo: Dating and social media app where users can chat and share images.
Credit: Pasco County Sheriff's Office
Pasco County Sheriff's Office

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