Why it’s popular: The site touts itself as a place “where new friends meet,” but it has a heavy emphasis on dating complete strangers. Users can find other users within a few miles of where they live.
What parents need to know:
- This app has been around since 2005, but until June 2012 it was called “My Yearbook.” If you’re doing research to see if you’re comfortable with your child using this app, be sure to run a search under the app’s old name.
- Some parents have reported that adults are “friending” children. It’s very possible for a 40-year-old user to “friend” a 12-year-old user, even though they’re strangers. One parent posted on Common Sense Media that her daughter was able to “sell” photos of herself to make “lunch money” and then buy gifts, like handcuffs and one-night stands, to send to other users.
- The City of San Francisco sued MeetMe in February 2014, claiming that sexual predators use the service to target underage victims and the app lacks adequate privacy protections.