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July 18, 2012 By

Kick Your Kids off KiK

Kick Your Kids off KiK

KiK MessengerKiK Messenger from KiK Interactive was a hot app last year having been released late in 2010. In March 2011 they received $8m in series A funding. The basic operation of the app is as an instant messenger, think Blackberry Messenger or iMessage and you have the general idea.

KiK Bad App or Bad Users?

I saw them at SXSWi and even tried their service out for a while, I decided it didn’t really serve any purpose for me, that wasn’t to say it wasn’t good, I just didn’t fit their user profile. However, it turns out that teens love the product and with good reason, it is a network and a communication tool in one and because it is on their phone can be used anytime, anywhere. Therein lies the issue, even the most digitally savvy parents might not think to check a free app that allows instant messaging for ulterior motives.

A brief check of the ratings section on the Appstore reveals exactly what they are using it for, yes you guessed, sexting. The problem is, like with so many social networks, there is no age verification, so while the people posting their usernames and saying they are a 15 year old girl there is no guarantee that it is not in fact a pedophile using the app to groom their next victim. Take a look at the screenshots below from the appstore where people are using the review section to connect with other users. These are just a couple but the first one thousand reviews I looked at were all very similar.

Kik MessengerKiK AppKik review

I reached out to KiK for a comment but they didn’t respond, I guess they aren’t too worried about how their app is used. I’m not suggesting that they designed the app to be used this way but I think that they have a duty of care to police the community they have created and to try and provide an environment that doesn’t allow for the exploitation of minors. If your son or daughter were listed in these reviews would you feel that this was a good app for them to be using?

What are your thoughts? An app gone bad or just some bad users and not something that parents should be worried about?

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Filed Under: Mobile, Mobile Apps, Observations, Technology Tagged With: , , , , , ,
About Simon Salt

Simon Salt has been creating online content since 1993 and blogging since 2000. He is an author, speaker and digital strategist. He can be found on most social networks as "incslinger". When he isn't working he is either taking photographs or riding his motorcycle - sometimes at the same time.

  • http://www.insaneasylumblog.com/ THE INSANE ASYLUM (MR. CHAP)

    This could be the beginning to some very bad behavior for kids

  • Danielle Smith

    I can honestly say the speed of my heart increased as I read this.  I could only think of the number of parents I know who do not spend the amount of time online, Simon, as you and I do – who don’t KNOW to investigate these types of apps, who don’t realize the potential harm.  

    Like you, I suspect (or I HOPE) KiK didn’t create this app to be used in this vein, but I do believe they have a responsbility to their users, to the minors, to police the community.  

    • http://www.theincslingers.com/blog Simon Salt

       Danielle – exactly. We forget sometimes that we live in a bubble. Those that don’t need us to help inform them.
      As the Father of two daughters I’d be horrified if one of my girls posted like the 15 yr old has.

  • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

    This is the second post I’ve seen about Kik being used in this way.

    As a parent I COMPLETELY get the worry, BUT every parent should realize that any chat program can and will be used in this way. It isn’t the software’s fault.

    Everything from Twitter, to Facebook to Oovoo and everything else that allows kids to communicate with each other is being used for things that can and should concern any parent.

    The key is that parents have to be aware of the tools that their kids are using and make sure we teach them what is right and wrong. We were all kids once and sexuality is something that every teenager gets excited and confused by. Yes, with the rise of technology it is easier than ever to get in trouble, but it isn’t Kik’s fault.

    I’ve seen questionable things on Instagram, IM, Skype and every other social network out there. I just wish people would focus on the behavior rather than the tools. There are always going to be new tools that get used in ways we don’t like.

    • http://www.theincslingers.com/blog Simon Salt

       C.C.
      I totally agree, and I’m not necessarily picking on KiK per se but trying to highlight an issue that parents face and using this system as an example.

      You are absolutely right that teaching is the solution.

      My concern is that obviously from the 1000 reviews that are in fact requests to connect including the one in the screenshot from a 15 year old girl that education isn’t happening.

      On top of that, that 15 year old girl could well be a pedophile looking to groom their next victim.

      • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

        I hear you and agree. It is a scary world out there.

      • LH

        I agree as well that all those other programs can be abused as well. But from personal experience with KIK – besides the fact that you don’t know WHO is texting you, one of the biggest concerns is that they are based in Canada. The laws are different there and they do not have to turn over user info to the authorities. Even if it involves a minor. 3 different, big law enforcement groups on them, still can’t get info. We were told that if there was an issue with a company based in the US ( ie. FB ), we would have issues resolved within days or weeks instead of months. ( we still aren’t done )
        Be very careful, continue the education with your kids, limit the programs they use, sometimes it still doesn’t matter. Lots of curiosity and temptations out there for them.

  • http://techpounce.com/ Nick

    In most states, the penalty for underage sexting can result in having to register as a sex offender for up to 20 years… I think that alone should be enough to stop kids from getting into that kind of thing, but apparently not.

    That might be a good little piece of information for KiK and other similar apps to include right at the top of the terms of service though.

    • http://www.theincslingers.com/blog Simon Salt

       Nick – that is a very good idea about putting it in the terms of service. I’m not sure how many teens would read it but maybe their parents would.

  • Brobertson

    Just found this on our daughters IPhone. Repeated sexting with numous people – including photos. We’ve taken away her for 1 year, and no computer or any digital device for the next 6 months. She’s 16 and we’ve been hammering this point home for over 5 years  – too bad for her she wasn’t listening. Honor roll kid, never in trouble, crazy…..

    • Seriously

      Then maybe it isn’t as big a deal as you make it. Sexuality is a natural thing

    • Kenzie

      Sexuality is normal. Teens are curious. Be happy she’s just typing and sendin pictures instea of having actual sex. It’s not a big deal as you make it seem. The REAL reason why you’re mad is because it’s your daughter and you don’t want her to grow up and you don’t like thinking she would say and do sexual things but get the fuck over it lady.

  • Snaveassilem

    Kids are abusing this app as a sexting freedom. Also engages sex offenders to continue behaviors that are not safe. Be careful parents. Get involved

  • Lisa

    The app is horrible for kids! They send explicit photos, nasty, nasty talk, anything goes and there’s no policing the people using it. Take your kids off it!!!!!
    Signed,
    A concerned parent

    • http://www.facebook.com/miningpyropony Samuel Koch

      Not the apps fault, teach your kids instead.

  • Concerened Dad

    Kik………….This app is Dangerous!!!!!!! Constant Chat, creating more drama than you can believe. Sexting…Pictures…! The new Face Book for teenagers. And we as Adults, Know how many relationships have been destroyed over that site. Do yourself a favor and have your child delete this app a.s.a.p!!!

  • A good Dad

    I’m going to have to infiltrate my sons phone to see if he is using this. I’d hate to lose his trust if he finds out but hey, even the best of the best have integrity checks once in a while.

    • Kenzie

      It’s just sex. He’s just typing things. It’s not like he’s raping people wtf.

  • Amanda

    Just discovered my 15 yr old being groomed by adult on this site.
    There is no monitoring at all, she will now be losing blackberry and tablet as her safety is far more important.
    We have had the safety talks many times , seems sites like these make it seem normal to behave this way.
    Totally disgusted!

  • jazzducky

    I’m 24 and I was shocked by kik , i was chatting with a guy and asked if he wanted to exchange pics (clean pics) and he sent me all manner of bad stuff , naked people even people who looked underage , I deleted the conversation and then deleted kik , I was so shocked and I’m male , I wont be download any app like that again , I implore you to keep a close watch over your children on such programs as it can be dangerous , I hope I have helped

    Ps its not just kik theres loads of apps this happens on
    Have a good day

  • Sia

    I’m 16 teen and I had kik. Once I tweeted my kik username on twitter and since then I’ve received no many messages of adult males! The worst part is that they we’re sending me “nude” pictures of them selfs! And they we’re asking me to do the same! Some of their messages were aggressive and those guys were all over 18+, even in their 30s! So I deleted my kik account. Keep kik away from your children’s! It’s not safe! Their is tons of perverts in there! All they do is trade naked pictures! It’s disgusting! Sick with iMessage! Kik should really be banned or they have to make it safer! It was really traumatising! I hate kik!!!!

  • Cory Westfi

    You people need to all take the sticks out of your asses. If you think your daughters and sons are too young to be sexting. Don’t buy them a phone/ipod/laptop, etc. If they have any of those things, they are going to do sexual things with it. They all do it, but only some of them get caught. And they you all act surprised…”OH NO MY INNOCENT LITTLE DAUGHTER!”…
    Just teach them to be safe about it. Tell them the kind of people who are out there in the world, and tell them about the fakes. Stop trying to prevent the inevitable.

  • Person

    I’m 10 and turning 11. I met a boy on kik who said he was 14. Turns out he was older… he sent me a video that was… dirty. Luckily, I hadn’t checked my phone for texts and I hadn’t seen the video yet when my mom went on my phone and saw it. She was glad when she found out that I hadn’t seen it. My phone is now at a police station. If you are a kid or teenager, don’t get Kik!