Michigan IT Expert Warns Parents About Live Video Apps Putting Kids in Danger
Alan Schmid of Hero IT Consulting says predators are using live video platforms to target children and access their personal information.
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Parents may think they are keeping their children safe online, but a Michigan technology expert warns that a growing number of video chat apps are putting kids at risk.
Alan Schmid, owner of Hero IT Consulting and sponsor of the Pet of the Day segment on Facebook and Instagram, said predators are increasingly finding new ways to contact children through random video chat platforms that appear harmless but can expose personal data.
“It’s all about protecting the kids,” Schmid said. “Parents need to be educated, and kids need to be safe. There are apps out there where you can log on and random people will just start showing up on live video with you.”
Click here to learn more about our guest Alan Schmid and his company Hero It Consulting.
Dangerous Chat Platforms
Schmid said that while the original website Omegle—once known for pairing strangers on live video—has been shut down, many copycat versions have appeared online.
“You can type in ‘Omegle clone’ and find 15 different sites where anyone can instantly chat,” he said. “Some ask for a Google or Facebook account, but others don’t require anything at all.”
Schmid added that some users can pay a small fee for plug-ins that reveal personal data.
“For five dollars a month, someone can buy a Chrome plug-in that shows your IP address, location and even your internet service provider,” he said. “It’s all out there — and it’s legal.”
Little Protection for Kids
Many of the platforms claim to be restricted to adults but rely on an easily bypassed checkbox for age verification.
“You check the box, and you’re in,” Schmid said. “There’s no photo ID, no government verification, nothing. Kids can access these apps easily.”
Some, like Azar, display how many users are online at a given moment and encourage people to “join now.” Schmid said that while these sites attract millions of users, they also collect large amounts of personal information that can be sold.
“When you connect through your Google or Apple ID, these apps collect your name, age, location — and they can sell that information,” he said.
What Parents Can Do
Schmid recommends that parents regularly check their children’s phones for unfamiliar apps and be aware of so-called “vault apps,” which disguise themselves as tools like calculators but hide photos or private content.
“There are apps like ‘Calculator Plus’ that are actually vaults,” Schmid said. “Parents need to look closely at what’s really on those phones.”
He advises parents to use Apple Family Sharing or services such as Bark for Android devices, which can help monitor downloads and online activity.
“You can’t just set it and forget it,” he said. “You have to have ongoing conversations with your kids about why protecting their information matters.”
Cybersecurity for Businesses
Schmid said his company also helps small and mid-sized businesses protect their networks from security threats.
“It’s not just big corporations,” he said. “I’ve worked with small businesses — eight or ten employees — to set up firewalls and content filters. All it takes is one wrong click for a company to be in big trouble.”
He added that establishing employee policies and training sessions is just as important as installing software.
“Security is for everyone,” Schmid said. “From small businesses to large corporations, everyone needs to know the risks.”
Raising Awareness
Schmid said Hero IT Consulting also works with schools, churches and community groups to educate parents and students about digital safety.
“If it’s a parent talk, a school assembly or a civic group, I’m happy to come out and speak,” he said. “The more people know, the safer our kids will be.”
For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit Hero IT Consulting online.
Every child who has a profile on social media and video platforms needs to have a private profile. Only friends and family can get on them. It's the only way to keep your child safe. Make sure they are only on a private network. Mr. Schmid is right there predators are out there trying to lure in our kids.