Common Sense Media Review
Location-based social network too risky for younger teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Is It Any Good?
Foursquare shows promise as a way for people on the go to socialize. Users set up a member profile on the Foursquare Web site. The text-based mobile page for laptop users is ugly and limited in functionality, but the iPhone app is easy to use. (Android, Blackberry, and Palm Pre apps are available too.) The Foursquare database offers plenty of locations ranging from bars and restaurants to hardware stores and libraries to famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty. A map, Yelp reviews, a commenting capability, and auto notifications round out the best features. Each check-in at a location earns points, which for now translate into menu discounts and the like. We have just one request: deep-six the badges with rude names. Just what does it take to earn a Douchebag award, anyway?
Online interaction: Anything goes and there are no moderators. Users tell friends where they are by checking in -- tapping in a location on phone or laptop -- when they arrive. Notified friends can then send an email, call, or just show up for an in-person connection. Users also can check tweets near a specific location to see who's out and about. The tweets that popped up near a bar in our neighborhood were full of kid-inappropriate content.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Location-based social networks take the reach of cell phones into kids' lives yet another step farther. If you're still struggling to set limits on cell phone use, read our usage tips.
If they're careful, kids can use a location-based social network like Foursquare safely. Discuss the importance of never agreeing to meet a stranger from the Internet and limiting friends to real-life pals. We have more social networking advice here.
Website Details
- Genre : Social Networking
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : October 25, 2022
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