Orange City, Iowa — The first day of school is in the books for many northwest Iowa students. And safety is on the minds of parents — both in the real world — and online.
A scheduling app designed for students is raising some eyebrows and suspicions at the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office. Sioux County Sheriff Jamie Van Voorst says he thinks parents should be extra aware of some serious privacy issues for kids.
He says that he decided to try it out — as if he were a scammer or predator — and see if the app would grant him — or anyone else — access to information that shouldn’t be public.
He says people don’t always realize how vulnerable they are.
He advises parents to take the time to check out the apps that their children want to use — and see how safe they really are.
Van Voorst says it’s time to think about students’ safety — both online and in the physical world.
Experts also remind motorists that flashing red lights and an extended stop sign on a school bus means stop — from either direction. The only time you don’t have to stop for that situation is if it’s a four-(or more)-lane divided highway and the bus is on the other side.
