“Social discovery” apps are encouraging young people to talk to strangers.

“Social discovery” apps are encouraging young people to talk to strangers. Positioned as alternatives to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, apps like Yubo and Hoop put an emphasis on helping young users “meet like-minded people outside their existing circles” from all over the world. Both apps have interfaces similar to dating apps, but for finding people to talk to or friend on other social platforms. While both apps claim to have safeguards to protect against inappropriate or unsafe behavior, concerns still loom since as young kids have been able to bypass the age restrictions. (WSJ)