'Just do a quick search of apps that they purchased, free, downloaded, whatever the case may be,' Mankarious said. So how do you know if your child has this on their phone? Maybe website searches,' Mankarious said.įor example, the Ky-Calc app has a secret web browser, a hidden folder for images, even a separate contact list parents would not be aware of. Text messages they don't want you to see. 'It basically allows them to store photos they don't want you to see. But when a secret pass code is entered, it unlocks a whole new gateway for your child. Some of the popular ones like Calculator Percent, Ky-Calc, or Best Secret Folder - they're disguised as a fully function calculator or utilities folder. Mankarious says there are many smartphone apps parents need to be aware of. So parents have to be on guard and become familiar with what's going on,' said Rania Mankarious, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Houston. 'We realize that kids are not 1, but 10 steps ahead of their parents in terms of technology.

Calculator mobile phone