Sarasota sheriff warns parents about 15 apps that could be used to target children

SARASOTA, Fla. (FOX 13) - The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office made headlines last year when it released a list of apps that could put children at risk of being targeted by predators. Now the sheriff's office has added more apps parents should watch out for on their kids' phones.

Following a recent bust of 25 suspected child predators and human traffickers, Sheriff Tom Knight said social media has made it easier than ever for predators to connect with children. He said that means parents have to be more vigilant about what their kids are doing online and on their phones.

"Know what's on your child's phone, have the courage to challenge your child," Knight said.

The sheriff's office named 15 apps parents should look for:

- Meetme: It's a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity. The app's users are encouraged to meet each other in person.

- Grindr: This dating app is geared toward gay, bi and transgender people. It gives users options to chat, share photos and meet up based on a smart phone's GPS.

- Skout: It's a location-based dating app. While users under 17 years old are unable to share private photos, kids can easily create an account with an older age.

- Whatsapp: This is a popular messaging app that allows users to send texts, photos, voicemails, as well as make calls and video chats.

- Tiktok: It's a new app popular with kids that's used for creating and sharing short videos. With very limited privacy controls, users are vulnerable ot cyber bullying and explicit content.

- Badoo: This is a dating and social networking app where users can chat, share photos and videos based on location. The app is intended for adults only, but teens are known to create profiles.

- Bumble: It's similar to the popular dating app, Tinder, however, it requires women to make the first contact. Kids have been known to use Bumble to create fake accounts and falsify their age. 

- Snapchat: It's one of the most popular apps of 2018. While the app promises users can send a photo or video and it will disappear, recent features allow users to view content for up to 24 hours. Snapchat also allows users to see your location.

- Kik: This app allows anyone to contact and direct message your child, sometimes anonymously. Kids sometimes use Kik to bypass traditional text messaging features. Kik gives users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime. 

- LiveMe: This live-streaming video app uses geolocation to share videos so users can find out a broadcaster's exact location. Users can earn coins within the app and use them as a way to pay minors for photos.

- Holla: The app's makers admit it's an "addicting" video chat app. It allows users to meet people all over the world in just seconds. Reviewers say they have been confronted with racial slurs, explicit content, and more. 

- Whisper: This is an anonymous social network that promotes sharing secrets with strangers. It also reveals a user's location so people can meet up.

- Ask.fm: This app has become known for cyberbullying. The app encourages users to allow people to anonymously ask them questions. 

- Calculator%: This is one of several secret apps used to hide photos, videos, files, and browser history. 

- Hot or Not: This app encourages users to rate other users' profiles, with the focus on physical appearance. It also allows users to check out people in their area and chat with strangers. The sheriff says the goal of this app is to "hook up." 

Nathan Emery, an agent with the Department of Homeland Security, said the apps all give easy access to children -- which make them a prime target for predators.

"It’s that unfettered access to kids that brings more people in because they can sort of play out their deviance and sexual desires,” Emery explained. “Don’t let your child have the access to the code to purchase apps on their phones, iPad and computers.”

Sheriff Knight said technological advancements have made it harder to keep track of apps that put kids at risk.

"I have no control over social media; I have no control over the apps. There’s no regulations on it. We can’t do anything about it. They keep adding to it. It makes it harder and harder for us to keep up with it," he said.