Popular applications (apps) among younger people appear at what may seem mind-boggling speed for parents. What’s more, they undergo many changes over time. Companies in this highly competitive field are always innovating and offer new features to their users regularly. Once a feature becomes popular in a given app, it is not uncommon to see other developers design something very similar. Given this context, it is understandable for parents to feel overwhelmed.

“Things change so fast, we can’t keep up!” – Mother of a 16-year-old girl

The different apps teenagers use are very appealing because they provide entertainment, creativity and creation, as well as the means to sustain communities. Furthermore, they often dangle the enticing prospect of increasing one’s popularity and heighten the need for external reinforcement via the “Like” button. Seeing as these platforms all have similar features, the risks they pose for teens are similar.