Tips For HOOKED - Chat Stories

Tips For HOOKED - Chat Stories   

 

Description: HOOKED allows you to read stories in chat format for free*. Every HOOKED story is told in bite-sized, text message format. HOOKED allows readers to write their own chat stories, which can be shared with friends, or write a group story in what is called a “Fantasy Chat.” *The chat stories are free to an extent. Readers receive a certain number of free “hoots” (views of texts in a chat story).

Category:  Books

APP Store rating:  9+ for infrequent/mild profanity or crude humor, mature/suggestive themes, and horror/fear themes. 

What parents need to know about HOOKED: 

 

The rating is way off: I have a 12-year-old, and I would never let her use this app. Following the screenshots below, first, you select from story genres. Titles within a genre vary, but almost every story includes a thread of sex (gay (lesbian) themes are prevalent), violence, drug use, and horror. Once you select a story, you then click “next” to reveal a story, chat by chat. It’s fascinating (and sobering) that even the young people writing these chat stories know what sells (remember, ATTENTION is the new currency of the web). 

Is there Porn? The quick answer is YES – HOOKED has a search function that allows you to look for search terms, including inappropriate ones like “naked”.  The chats include X-Rated language and images for the story covers that can include nudity.

 

Bottom Line: 

HOOKED feels more like a 17+ app. There’s just too much adult content and Apple is surprisingly incorrect with its seldom used 9+ rating. If after all of this, you still decide to allow your teenagers have the app, then I would recommend mom or dad spend an evening just flipping through the stories. The titles will give you an indication of what sells best (remember: sex, violence, drug use, and horror). If you want better control over all of the apps your elementary and middle school-aged kids might be using, then we recommend looking in to Circle with Disney.