Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
"Private" sharing service may offer false sense of security.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Blink! - Secret Messaging
What's It About?
Users send what are advertised to be private, self-destructing messages in the form of texts, photos, videos, audio recordings, or sketches. Once opened, the app deletes them after a pre-determined period of time, but not before recipients can capture a screen shot of what was sent.
Is It Any Good?
While Blink! - Secret Messaging promotes itself as a way to send messages, photos, videos, and more to friends in a method that leaves no footprints, the app takes no precautions to prevent recipients from capturing images of what's sent -- a loophole that opens kids up to all sorts of potential bullying and blackmail.
Like many of the Snapchat clones on the market, it advertises anonymity, but through Facebook integration and a mandatory registration process that requires, at the least, a functioning email, it's lacking in that as well. The one thing the app has going for it is the variety of different content types it supports -- letting those who choose to use it communicate in whatever method they'd like.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of privacy, especially when you're young.
Families can also discuss age-appropriate ways to meet people.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : December 12, 2013
- Genre : Social Networking
- Publisher : Meh Labs
- Version : 2.0.2
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later; Android 4.0 and up
- Last updated : August 16, 2016
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