Parents' Guide to LiveIn

Adding the app to a device is fairly simple: Kids press and hold its icon until it wiggles, and then key its name into a search field and add the widget to their home screen. They can then use LiveIn as a direct line to friends who also sign up and other people they know. Kids can either snap a quick live shot with LiveIn's camera functionality or send a photo they've previously taken. They can also circle portions, add words, and otherwise mark up the photos using editing tools.

The tools, which primarily consist of writing utensils, offer somewhat limited options. Kids can choose to either type words or scribble them on the screen with their finger, which will likely end up being the less legible end result. The tool is helpful if you want to circle something to point it out, but it doesn't include functionality to make nuanced filters or other changes to photos -- which, given the options various social media apps offer, kids may be looking for. In general, the app doesn't have a lot of frills -- and instead of considering the ability to view content immediately as a plus, some users might feel it's a little disruptive. But because kids should primarily be trading images with individuals or small groups of people they know, the risk level should be lower than with some apps. A number of tween and younger teen users seem to be posting to the more public World feed, though, a section other users who don't know them can view. Parents will probably want to discourage kids from sharing photos in that section. If they stick to their closed network, though, LiveIn has the potential to offer an experience that might be slightly intrusive at times, yet ultimately secure.