Live chat: Protecting your kids from app dangers

Jefferson County, Colo., District Attorney Investigator Mike Harris takes your questions.

3rd & 7 37yd

Get answers about strategies for protecting your children online. Expert Mike Harris, an investigator from the Jefferson County Colorado District Attorney's office who has over 700 arrests, will answer your questions between 11:30a and 1p mountain Tuesday.

by Denver7 via 7NEWS KMGH 4/7/2014 3:28:03 PM
I think my kids are hiding things from me because they hate that I look at their laptops and phones. I think they hide messages because they want privacy, but I fear that could also mean they're hiding something that I might find suspicious. Do you have any suggestions on how I can be sure I'm getting the whole picture?

by Sam via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 1:22:27 PM
My son is smarter on the computer than me, so I'm worried about keeping up. How am I supposed to know all the stuff about the apps when he is light years ahead of me already?

by Melissa via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 1:51:46 PM
How do you find or verify good apps? Where do you start?

by Melissa via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 1:53:06 PM
It seems there are constantly new apps coming out to be wary of. Is there a resource to stay on top of it and regularly be updated on which are bad and which are OK?

by Concerned Parent via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 2:54:42 PM
Kids think it's an invasion of privacy to check their phones. How do you let them have their space, but still help navigate through the dangers of what's out there?

by Concerned Parent via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 2:55:45 PM
Are resources available to have experts talk to my scout group or youth group about the dangers? Are they expensive?

by Concerned Parent via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 2:57:55 PM
Is there a security difference in hardware? ie: Is an iPhone safer than and Android device? Mac more secure than a PC?

by CamarilloDad via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 4:20:59 PM
What apps should kids never be allowed to use

by What apps should parents... via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 5:24:49 PM
Hi, I'm here and ready to start answering questions in just a sec. Gotta answer a question on tv first

by Investigator Mike Harris... via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 5:26:56 PM
Are there any apps that allow parents to view all activity on a child phone?

by Concerned mother via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 5:40:27 PM
Keep those great questions coming! We are answering each question within the reply.

by Denver7 via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 5:46:02 PM
What should we know about Snap Chat? This service is very popular with the teenage girls, but I am concerned about its privacy.

by Marc via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 5:54:43 PM
Some of you may know and some may not. Did you know lots of kids download on their iPods, iPads, iPhones, Droids textfree, text plus or text now, turning their iPods and iPads into a texting instrument. Kids also will download these to their smart phones as many parents don't check all the messaging apps, only looking at the main texts

by Investigator Mike Harris... via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 5:58:16 PM
Do I need to turn location services off on each app or on the phone's settings?

by Catherine via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:00:40 PM
I know that having a computer in a kids bedroom is not advised.. but with my daughter keeping her phone with her all night, should I be taking her phone/ipads from her at night too? I'm not sure how i can even begin to broach that topic.

by Kristine via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:06:17 PM
I see a lot of great questions here but I do not see Officer Harris' response

by michael via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:12:30 PM
I was not aware I could change settings for You Tube content...how do I do this through DirecTV?

by Cary via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:12:50 PM
Also, have you heard of an online chat room called ChitChat...what are your thoughts on it? When I try to peak in over my daughters shoulder..I get shooed away promptly. Should I be concerned?

by Cary via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:15:03 PM
Thanks for all of your dedication and hard work over the years keeping kids safe!!!!! -TP :)

by tp2121 via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:20:12 PM
Often times parents are shy to ask me questions for a number of different reasons. There is no question when it comes to technology and your child which should go unanswered. If you are out there and wonder about something. Please ask us.

by Investigator Mike Harris... edited by Denver7 4/8/2014 6:20:34 PM
My 11 year old keeps asking if she can download Instagram on her iPhone. Is it a safe app? I just feel very uncomfortable with the idea of people "following" her photos.

by Debbie via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:21:40 PM
My sons are on Instagram and my husband and I try to monitor their use but it is so fast moving we have a difficult time keeping up. What should we be aware of? Also, how safe is Minecraft?

by Nancy via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:28:09 PM
Is it true that hackers can access your computer's webcam even if it's not turned on? We skype a lot with family so my 10 yr old is allowed to use it but I'm concerned about privacy.

by AJ's mom via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:30:21 PM
I'm fed up. My 14 year old daughter has gotten out of hand with her iPod and her apps. I didn't realize there was so much social net working apps. I do not know any of her contacts and don't know where to go from here. How do I start over with her iPod apps and usage

by Gotouttahand via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:35:46 PM
My 4 year old has a InnoTab2s can anyone located his location from his pictures or video from it

by Jen Shunk-Jackson via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:36:19 PM
Is using Linux or some other opensouce OS inherently more safe than using Windows? I worry about people hacking software(email accounts, Facebook, etc.) or hardware(webcams, microphones, etc.) on my daughters computer.

by Mike via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:39:23 PM
If I have the GPS turned off on my phone, is that the same as location, or do I need to find a separate setting for my camera?

by MdvlCastle via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:42:43 PM
As I read this article, So many parents with concerns and questions. My only question is WHY does you 6 thru 11 year old even have a smart phone like that. Why get them into all this technology which can be harmful to them by what they download. All these questions about is my child mature enough if the comments on this article well if you have to question that they probably are not mature enough for it. The parents should think about it maybe go back to the way things where when I was a kid GO PLAY OUTSIDE!!! What 7 year old needs there own smart phone??? And if something were to happen to the child they blame the apps or the phone when really its the parents fault for introducing them to these things.

by A concerned reader via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:46:56 PM
Are private blogs really very private?

by Mary via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:49:08 PM
we only have 10 minutes left and we have to leave and go fight crime

by Investigator Mike Harris... via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:50:08 PM
What apps can give you virus and track you

by Reader via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:52:56 PM
Please feel free to add us on Facebook Cheezo Cool Cat, visit our website at www.cheezo.org

by Investigator Mike Harris... via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:53:05 PM
Is there a spying that I can use on my 10 year old kik

by Reader via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:57:26 PM
Ok what if your child owns her own computer, and chats with someone you don't feel is safe for her, she is too trusting, naïve and says" well the guy is really nice" and I am 17 after all. You want to trust your child's instincts and let her grow up bt your gut feeling is that this is not a good person for her to talk to?

by Celesta Manspeaker via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 6:58:06 PM
Bye mike

by Reader via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 7:00:06 PM
CHEEZO OUT

by Investigator Mike Harris... via 7NEWS KMGH 4/8/2014 7:01:23 PM