What is Ask.fm?

Ask.fm is a question-and-answer platform that is among the most popular web apps among Irish kids.

It's one of several comparable services available online currently, but it has a leg up on competitors like Formspring and Spillit when it comes to young Irish users.

Ask.fm is a question-and-answer website that allows users to ask and answer contentious issues in a completely anonymous manner.

Users may explore other people's profiles and send questions directly to them, and the replies can be in text or video format.

The service is simple to use; you may ask a question to one person or all users, or you can respond to any question that appears in your feed.

"What would you do if you won the lottery?" "What is the scariest movie you've ever seen?" and "What was the last YouTube video you watched?" are some of the common questions on the site.

Popular social networking services such as Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter are heavily incorporated within this site.

By publishing links on their timelines or twitter feeds, users may invite their friends and followers to ask them questions.

Users may also 'like' a user's ask.fm profile on Facebook to share queries or replies.

What are the Dangers of Ask.fm for Kids?

We recognize that question applications are usually a lot of fun and only cause problems when they are used inappropriately.

However, based on what we've heard on the ground, abuse is common.

Only a cursory glance at the site reveals that sexualized, abusive, and bullying content can and is being posted without oversight.

The assurance of anonymity is Ask.fm's unique selling point, with the company recently promising its Twitter followers that it will never reveal the identity of anybody who posts to the site.

There is sexualized, abusive, and bullying content on the site.

The ability to ask anybody whatever you want or put anything on their profile without disclosing your identity appears to increase the amount of disinhibition commonly associated with young people interacting online.

To put it another way, we tend to say things online that we wouldn't say face to face, and this is amplified when we interact anonymously.

As a result, extremely sexualised, rude, and simply unpleasant inquiries and comments are widely strewn throughout the celebrity and lifestyle queries.

The site also raises a number of privacy concerns. It has little privacy protections, which means that anybody, even non-users of the site

Although the site contains safety and privacy information, there is no need that you read it before joining up.

This is the default configuration, and it doesn't appear that there is a way to modify it: once a post is published, it becomes publicly available.

Despite news claims to the contrary, you may report objectionable content on ask.fm, and you don't have to be signed in (i.e. a user) to do so.

When you hover your mouse over a post on someone else's profile, you'll notice an option to like it as well as a drop down arrow that lets you report it for one of four reasons.

Users may also block other users by scrolling down to the bottom of their profile page and clicking on, but they must be signed in to do so.

Users may also delete questions from their own profiles by clicking the cross in the upper right corner of each question and response.

Parental Guidance on Ask.fm

Above all, you must have open and honest conversation with your child about their internet activities.

Remember that while you may not be an expert on tweets, blogs, or apps, you are an expert on parenting, and the same principles apply.

Sit down with your youngster and talk about how they use Ask.fm.

It's critical to establish guidelines and boundaries for your child's use of this site.

Every child is unique, and parents must determine which technique is best for their child.

Typical options include agreeing on acceptable behavior on the site, monitoring their activities on a frequent basis, or not allowing them to use it at all.

At the absolute least, you should promise that they will always treat people with respect and that they will inform you if anything bothers them.

It is best to create rules and limits with your child in order for them to be truly successful.

Having this conversation with your child might reveal a lot about their internet activities and worries.

The discussion that takes place before a contract is signed can be just as helpful as the contract itself.

If your kid was involved in the development of the agreement for their usage of Ask.fm, they are more likely to perceive the rules and punishments as fair, and therefore to follow them or debate them at a later date if they believe they should be altered.

It's also a good idea to be upfront about the consequences of not adhering to the agreement.

When rules are agreed upon, they operate best.

Children claim they don't inform their parents about things they see on the internet because they are afraid their parents would take away their internet connection.

Other punishments, such as additional tasks or the removal of other privileges, should be considered.

It's critical to comfort your child right away that they may come to you with any concerns they have about what they've seen on the internet. Ensure that communication lines are constantly open.

Remember that outright banning or prohibiting a website may just mean that your kid hides their usage from you, which means they won't be able to tell you if they have difficulties.

Please call the National Parents Council Primary Helpline on Tel: 01-8874477 or email: helpline@npc.ie if you have any questions about your child's education, including bullying.

The Helpline is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Ask.fm Recommendations for Schools

First and foremost, schools should be aware that Ask.fm and other similar websites are prohibited on the Schools Broadband Network.

Of course, this does not rule out access from school on personal devices, nor does it rule out the possibility of bullying scenarios arising from home usage of the site.

If you notice students from your school accessing the site, take advantage of the chance to inform them about your school's Acceptable Use Policy and Bullying Policy.

If you find yourself in a scenario where disciplinary action is required, this becomes critical.

It's more than just signing and filling out documents when it comes to implementing policies: it's critical that you remind your students of their duties on a regular basis.

It's also a chance to establish a healthy school atmosphere that emphasizes individual respect.

As educators, it is our job to encourage a shift in mindset so that students recognize their responsibility for the safety and well-being of their classmates.

Webwise has designed an Internet Safety teaching and learning curriculum – /:Be SAFE Be WEBWISE:/ – in conjunction with the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Support Service that can assist you with this.

The software is developed to meet our young people's online personal safety needs and may be used to execute the Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum.

During their teenage years, young people take on new roles and responsibilities, restructure relationships with parents, peers, and the community, and experiment with adult-like objects.

These socialization events are frequently accompanied with risk-taking behavior that might jeopardize one's health and safety.

While taking healthy risks is a positive tool in an adolescent's life for discovering, developing, and consolidating their identity, the SPHE Internet Safety program encourages young people to reflect on their attitudes and values and to adopt appropriate behaviors that will help them cope with life's challenges in terms of their online lives and behavior.

On Ask.fm, how do you respond to bullying messages?

Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or someone else who works with kids, the advice you provide them on how to deal with bullying should be the same.

This four-step formula works for Ask.fm as well as any other internet situation:

If someone makes improper or harmful contact with you, block them, save the message or remark as proof, and report them to the website's administrator. Responding to bullying or abusive contacts will just add to the problem. If you receive bullying texts, you should inform a teacher, parent, or other trusted adult.

More serious situations that may be unlawful, such as when someone makes improper sexual remarks or is 'grooming' a person under the age of 16, can be reported to the Garda or anonymously to www.hotline.ie, where all allegations are treated seriously and forwarded to the Garda where necessary.

Please phone Childline at 1800 668 6868 whenever you need to talk to someone.