Parents' Guide to

Yo.

By Chris Morris, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Simplistic -- some say stupid -- app means well.

App iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android Free Social Networking
Yo. Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Yo. App: Screenshot #1
  • Yo. App: Screenshot #2

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What’s It About?

Users scan their contacts to find friends and family who have the YO app installed. From there, they can simply touch the contact's name to send a text and an audio message reading and saying "Yo." No words, pictures, or video could be added to the message at the time of this review.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

If you're looking for a quick way to let someone know you're thinking of them, Yo. is certainly the app to do it. It's a viral sensation -- and one that has managed to pocket $1 million in venture capital funding, which is mind-boggling to most observers. It's simplistic. It has been called stupid -- and it may well be. But the appeal of the app lies in that simplicity.

Yo. isn't meant to be a complex communication tool. It's not meant to send long messages. It's meant to let you tell someone you're thinking of them -- or you've accomplished something you're both aware of. It's rudimentary. It's something that many adults will never quite get, but kids probably will. And it's something that likely will be a flash in the pan. But it's also a good way for kids to check in when they reach a destination (without the process being burdensome in their eyes) and can be adapted to pretty much any scenario that requires a brief communication.

Hackers have tried (and once succeeded) to exploit the app because of its monster success, but the developers say the proper fixes are now in place. Still, it's best to make sure you always have the most recent version, yo.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the importance of staying in touch.

  • Families also can talk about how a little gesture can go a long way with someone else.

App Details

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