In the digital age, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with new and emerging technology and apps. As a school district, we are continually reviewing new applications and programs that our students have access to on their school devices. One new phone app that recently gained popularity is an app called Saturn: Time Together. This social networking app is not available to download on district devices but can be downloaded to personal iPhones, iPod touch or Android phones and is marketed for students in grades 9-12. Once the app is downloaded, the student inputs their cell phone number and is asked to verify their school connection using their school email address, however, there are other ways to “verify” student status. After a student is verified, the user is asked to upload a copy of their school schedule to the platform and invite their contacts to join the app. Once the student allows access to their contacts, they are encouraged to invite their friends to join the app, by initiating a text message sent by Saturn. The information about class schedules is stored on the device, so while they can't make any changes to the app while on the district network, they can still view information. The app’s aim is to connect students in the same classes, clubs, free periods, etc. While this app may seem harmless at first glance, the potential dangers it poses to our students' privacy and overall safety is concerning. It is crucial for parents and guardians to be aware of the risks associated with this app so that you may take necessary precautions to safeguard your children. Below are some safety concerns regarding the Saturn app:
- Privacy Concerns: Saturn collects a significant amount of personal information from its users, including names, ages, locations, and contact information. Once the app gains access to the student’s personal information, it can’t be deleted from the app or the company’s database.
- Inappropriate Content: The app's content is user-generated, which means that it can contain explicit, violent, or otherwise inappropriate material. This poses a risk to young users, who may be exposed to content that is not suitable for their age group.
- Online Predators: Because the verification process has workarounds, individuals could gain access to students’ schedules, locations, friends, etc. by “posing” as a student in that particular school.
To protect your child's privacy and ensure their safety while using social media apps or the internet, you can take the following precautions:
- Establish an open and honest line of communication with your child about social media and its dangers.
- Establish rules and guidelines for internet and social media usage. Discuss appropriate online behavior, the importance of privacy and not allowing an app to access personal information like contacts or location, and the potential consequences of sharing personal information online.
- Regularly monitor your child's online activities, including the apps they use and the content they consume. If you choose to allow your child to use the Saturn app, or any social media app familiarize yourself with it and its features to better understand its potential risks.
- Look into parent control features on your child’s phone. On both apple and android phones parents can designate that children ask to download an app and set screen time usage. This allows you to monitor what they are accessing, and for how long.
- If your child is on social media, ensure that their accounts have the highest level of privacy settings enabled. Limit the visibility of their profile, restrict who can contact them, and encourage them to only connect with known friends and family members.
- Teach your child about online safety, including the importance of not sharing personal information, avoiding interactions with strangers, and reporting any suspicious or inappropriate content or behavior.
We understand that navigating the digital landscape can be challenging, but by working together, we can help protect our students from potential harm. We encourage you to have open conversations with your child about the dangers of the Saturn app and the importance of online safety. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Data Protection Officer at dpo@eastiron.org.