WARNING: Kid-friendly Kik app gives predators direct online access to children
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KIK is a free mobile service for sharing texts, images and videos anonymously.
While there are safety concerns with other apps, police and users say Kik is particularly popular with younger teens and children whose parents may not be as familiar with it as they are with social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
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"The problem I have with Kik in particular is the ability for strangers to reach out to strangers," said Det.-Sgt. Paul Krawczyk of the Toronto Police Service's child exploitation unit.
Unlike many other messaging apps, Kik offers free, unlimited texting, along with games featuring animated characters and juvenile emojis which appeal to kids.
Kik also allows users to send messages directly to other users, without first approving them on a friend or contact list.
Police say there's a lack of parental checks and controls with Kik, and some other apps, which is one of the reasons predators are drawn to them.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/kik-chat-app-messaging-children-predators-pornography-police-1.3553355
