When it comes to online child predation, exploitation, and sextortion, predators often employ various tactics to gain a child’s trust and manipulate them into compromising situations. After initial contact and a grooming process, these offenders commonly ask their victims to quickly move to a more secure and private communication platform to exchange and covertly record messages, pictures, or videos – this is referred to as “off-platforming.”
Off-platforming can involve the use of apps such as private Instagram messaging, Snapchat private messaging, or the use of Google Hangouts. While these platforms still allow law enforcement to access communications through court orders or search warrants, offenders are now turning to encrypted communication apps like Telegram to increasingly avoid law enforcement efforts of detection and evidence collection.
Recently, we’ve assisted three families where offenders have used a troubling tactic and app – convincing their targets to download and use a lesser-known app called “Zangi”. We can see why this app is particularly attractive to predators, and predict will become more popular with predators and the online criminal element for several reasons:
- Free to download
- No data collection
- No data stored on servers
- No registration required
- Military-grade encryption
- Protection from third-party interception (including law enforcement)
- No mobile number required
- Supports text messaging, picture sharing, and voice/video calls
- Available on both Apple and Android devices
These features make Zangi an attractive tool for offenders seeking to exploit their targets without leaving digital evidence, which complicates law enforcement efforts.
Keeping up with the ever-evolving list of apps available to youth and teens can be overwhelming, but understanding the risks and implementing preventive measures can go a long way in protecting your child. For younger teens and children, we always recommend considering minimalist phones like the Pinwheel Phone or WisePhone, which don’t allow app downloads. (1) This prevents the installation of risky apps altogether.
For those whose children already have access to iPhones or Android phones, here are steps parents and caregivers can take to help minimize the risk of them downloading apps like Zangi, or any other app, without your knowledge or permission.
For Apple Devices:
1/ Set Up Family Sharing
Family Sharing lets you share purchases and control app downloads on your child’s iPhone.
- Go to Settings > Tap your name at the top > Select Set Up Family Sharing.
- Follow the prompts to invite your child to join Family Sharing. They will need to accept the invitation.
Once set up, you’ll be able to approve or deny app downloads through the Ask to Buy feature.
2/ Enable “Ask to Buy”
This feature ensures that every time your child tries to download an app, you must approve it.
- Go to Settings > Tap your name > Family Sharing.
- Select your child’s name under Family Members.
- Tap Ask to Buy and enable it.
Now, you will receive a notification whenever your child attempts to download an app.
3/ Use Screen Time Restrictions
You can further manage what your child can download by setting up Screen Time restrictions.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- If Screen Time is off, tap Turn On Screen Time > Tap This is My Child’s iPhone.
To restrict app store downloads:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
- Set Installing Apps to Don’t Allow.
- Set Deleting Apps to Don’t Allow (optional).
- Set In-App Purchases to Don’t Allow.
For Android Devices:
1/ Set Up Google Family Link
Google Family Link allows parents to manage app downloads, monitor usage, and set content restrictions.
- On your device, download Google Family Link from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and follow the instructions to set up a Family Group.
- Add your child’s Google account to the Family Group (or create one for them if needed).
To link your child’s device:
- Open Family Link on your phone.
- Select your child’s account.
- On their device, install Family Link for Children & Teens from the Play Store.
- Follow the instructions to link the devices.
2/ Control App Downloads via Family Link
Once linked, you can control what apps your child can download.
- Open Google Family Link on your phone.
- Select your child’s profile.
- Under Controls, tap Manage Settings > Google Play.
- Tap Require Approval for and choose:
- All Content – Every app download requires your approval.
- Only Paid Content – Only paid apps need approval.
- Only In-App Purchases – Only in-app purchases need approval.
You’ll receive a notification for app approval when your child tries to download an app.
3/ Set Parental Controls in Google Play Store
You can limit what apps your child can access based on their age by setting content restrictions in the Play Store.
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap the profile icon at the top right > Settings.
- Tap Family > Parental Controls.
- Turn on Parental Controls and create a PIN.
To set age-based app restrictions:
- After enabling Parental Controls, tap Apps & Games.
- Choose the age rating limit you want (e.g., 12+, 16+).
In the evolving landscape of online safety, it’s essential for parents to stay vigilant and proactive. Predators are constantly adapting and using increasingly sophisticated tools like encrypted apps to exploit children and avoid detection. While it can be challenging to keep up with these developments, parents can take significant steps to safeguard their children. Whether by opting for minimalist phones that prevent app downloads or by utilizing parental control features on iPhones and Android devices, these measures help reduce the risks. Ultimately, digital literacy education, ongoing communication, and setting clear boundaries around app usage are key components in ensuring your child’s safety in today’s onlife world.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The parental controls for both the iPhone and the Android phone mentioned above are not 100% effective, and some youth are finding ways to bypass some of these functions. Having said this, they are important to engage, especially for youth and younger teens.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
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