App Guide

Fake Text

Name: TextingStory Chat Story Maker

Owned By: Yvz Digital Lab

Category: Entertainment

Operating System: IOS

Available for download: Yes

Desktop version: Yes

Approximate release date: 2016

Age Rating*: 4+

  • Apps in this category contain no objectionable material 

Brief Description*: Unleash your creativity! 

  1. Write a text conversation in TextingStory.
  2. Create a video from your story.
  3. Watch your creation and share it with your friends.

*Information from the App Store

  • Access to camera (device camera)

    Users can pay to add pictures to their fake chats.

  • Connect with strangers (ability to)

    Users cannot connect with friends or strangers.

  • Cyberbullying opportunities

    Youth can use this app to create fake text message exchanges between two people, which can be used for cyberbullying.

  • Business accounts

    This app is not typically used by businesses.

  • Ability to send inappropriate images

    Users could potentially upload inappropriate images into fake messages (adding pictures is an upgrade).

  • Collects user’s information

    This does not collect data that’s linked to you, but it may collect usage data not linked to your identity.

Reviewed By: Ryan

Just because you see a screenshot of a text message doesn’t mean it actually happened. There are many ways to generate fake text messages. You can make them through apps for iPhones or through various apps in the Google Play store for Android. There are also detailed desktop versions that let you pick every icon and detail of the message you would like to fake. Some even let you add emojis to the messages. There are many to choose from for Apple devices and Android operating systems.

These websites and apps report that they are for “pranking your friends,” but they are also easy ways for youth to cyberbully others. Make sure to check out our cyberbullying resources and the folks at the Cyberbullying Research Center as they have great resources if your child is being digitally bullied.

I’m often asked how a person can tell if a text message was faked, but depending upon how it was done, it can be almost impossible to tell. My thoughts are that if a youth is being cyberbullied with a fake text, the first person to have possession of the potential fake text should be considered a possibility as the one who generated it. Checking their device(s) and web history (with parental permission) could point to them using a fake text app or website.

There is no easy answer to finding out if a text is fake. Discussions about responsible uses and setting expectations with a contract is the best step in making sure your child is a responsible kid on a smartphone.  I would not recommend any “fake text” apps to anyone under 18 years old. What starts as “a prank” can often end badly. 

My #1 recommendation is to not allow anyone under 18 years old to use fake texting apps/websites.