What parents need to know about the app kids are calling the “Tinder for teens.”

What is the Yubo app?

Yubo (formerly Yellow – new corporate website: www.yubo.live) is a social media app for iOS and Android devices that lets users create a profile, share their location, and flip through images of other users in their area. You can either scroll through the current live streams or browse individual profiles by swiping Tinder-style – right on profiles you like and left on profiles you don’t. 

Why is this app so popular with teens?

Children feel the possibility of meeting someone new, making a new friend or confidant is extremely exciting to them. 

It’s not uncommon for kids who are struggling with their emotions to look for support from a total stranger that they think understands them. A parent shared their child’s experience on Common Sense Media’s review of Yubo: 

“My 14 yr old adopted daughter who suffers from PTSD met other mentally ill kids on this website. Now she is suffering new mental health symptoms and has had suicidal episodes. It’s not safe. you don’t know who your child is dealing with, how old they really are or their mental health profile.”

What are the problems?

The problems with Yubo or other apps like it are apparent. There is a reason everyone is calling this app “Tinder for teens.” A user ...