What is behind the app with millions of downloads that even psychologists and politicians are now warning about?

The French Interior Ministry is warning against a popular walkie-talkie app that can have a negative impact on the lives of children and young people. A youth psychologist is also critical of the app.

That’s why this is important: The app called ten ten has in Google Play Store over five million downloads and more than 60,000 reviews. But its core functionality raises concerns about the privacy and mental health of its users.

The app in detail: With the ten ten app you can turn your cell phone into a walkie-talkie and communicate with friends and family by voice without making calls or sending voice messages.

• To enable the walkie-talkie function, the app must remain permanently active in the background and have access to your microphone and speaker.
• Others can be contacted even if other apps are running or the screen is locked.
• The developers assure that data is sent encrypted and is not shared with third-party companies or organizations.
• The development team comes from France, where the app is particularly popular.

Like a walkie-talkie, you can talk to your friends by holding down a button. The other person receives the message regardless of whether the app is currently open. (Image: tentenapp)

Politicians and psychologists view the app critically: Meanwhile, French and Swiss politicians as well as psychologists have commented on the app (20min.ch reported).

• The French Ministry of the Interior warns, that the app is too intrusive and could disrupt children’s lives.
• Youth psychologist Margareta Reinecke criticizes the increased pressure on children and young people that could arise from constant accessibility. She sees parallels with the Snapchat app, where you can permanently share your location with friends. She is also concerned that such apps make children more susceptible to bullying and peer pressure.
• Diana Gutjahr, SVP National Councillorrecognizes the risks of such apps, but emphasizes that there are countless of them that have the potential to be bullying and addictive. “Every social media app can potentially be a danger to young people.” Gutjahr believes that government warnings or even bans are ineffective. It is the parents' responsibility to make their children aware of the risks of such apps.
• Min Li Marti, SP National Councillor, argues in a different direction as follows: “There are age limits for alcohol and cigarettes, perhaps it would also make sense for this app.”

In the Google Play Store, ten ten has 4.6 stars and over 60,000 reviews. Accordingly, there is a lot of praise, but also criticism, as the following sample extracts show:

Stella S.: »I'm giving this app 5 stars because it works very well and you can say something to a person even if the other person's phone is turned off.«

Luca T.: »It works great and you can always chat with your friends without calling them.«

Ralf v. F.: »It's a good idea in itself, it worked with my granddaughter. But the fact that the app still signals calls when 'Do not disturb' is switched on is, in my opinion, completely unacceptable!«

Da Be.: “Cool, but I got scared once because my girlfriend started talking in the night.”

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What do you think of the app ten ten? Do you see a risk for children and young people in it? Is it the parents' responsibility to make their children aware of such apps or should there even be government regulations for them? And could you imagine using such an app yourself or have you already done so? Feel free to write us your opinion in the comments!