Gen Z has new online hangouts. Facebook and Twitter are just passe. The new hangouts are Discord. Reddit, Twitch and Wickr.

These offer complete anonymity to the users. They do not offer algorithm-driven content to the users — unlike the traditional media sites.

Reddit is called the front page of internet. It was launched in 2005. Its app appeared in 2016. It covered the age groups of 13s to 30s. It has many different communities — sub-reddit. It is used by 2.6 million teenagers all over the world. The handles used are pseudonyms. Alien mascots constitute the DPs. Its anonymity allows you to post anything — sad, happy or bizarre. The Reddit community either upvotes or downvotes it.

Twitch is a live streaming platform. There are ASMR videos covering diverse things. It is a new way to express yourself.

Wickr is a secret messaging app. These are self-destructing messages. Screenshots are not allowed. Youngers use it for sexting and gossiping. They can plan secret parties.

Discord beats all other apps with 150 million active users. It offers online gaming. It is free voice and video-enabled chatting platform. It was originally designed for gamers but transformed into space for teens and preteens. They spot new friends here. They hangout privately or in public chat communities. They can do texting and switch to voice calls and video conferencing.

There are invite-only virtual communities on discord. Some of these are problematic. Some address psychological issues. Some support LGBT community. Some give opportunity to bond over a common interest, say music, books. There are gambling tutorials and e-dating.

There are private invite-only servers. There are no age or identity filters. It is a world-wide exposure. There are some servers which promote negativity, say Trash Talk.

Discord has a safety centre to protect users from content or interactions they do not want. Parents find Discord too difficult to navigate. The nicknames too change with every server. Therefore, it is a free world, with no parental monitoring.

Many youngsters sign up on Discord just to belong. Parents are unaware of this.