Last week, I reported about a new dangerous app that had emerged, called Meerkat. This week, Twitter released their own version, called Periscope. New name, same functionality, same problems.

Periscope, like Meerkat, is a live streaming application. Periscope connects your phone camera to your Twitter feed; once you’ve installed the app, you type in a status and hit the “stream” button—and just like that, a link goes out to your Twitter followers with live video from wherever it is you’re pointing the camera.

One of the key differences between the two is that Periscope saves the video streams once you are finished, so that anyone can view them for up to 24 hours; Meerkat’s live video disappears once you choose to end the broadcast.

Cyberbullying and privacy concerns:

Periscope and Meerkat have the potential, when used inappropriately by teens, to be a live cyberbullying tool. It is not uncommon for teens to video record others and then post the video the internet to be the object of ridicule. Live streaming apps enhance the experience as it is happening live. These streams can be recorded as well.

If you leave location services “ON,” you will also broadcast your GPS location which can be seen on a map.

Teens could also be live casting personal information about themselves and others (they may not be willing participants), such as where they live, go to school, or other compromising information.

Cyber Safety Cop does not recommend this social media app for minors. The lack of privacy and potential for abuse is too high to be safe for teens.