BUNCH
BUNCH
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MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? Bunch is a group video chat app that lets users play games together while video calling in real time. It often provides support for third-party games such as Among Us, Minecraft, and Roblox. The focus is on real-time social gaming with friends and open groups. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with extreme caution. 🔞 Access to Inappropriate Content While Bunch markets itself as a family-friendly app, it allows real-time, unmoderated video chat. This opens the door to inappropriate conversations, peer pressure, adult language, and possible exposure to offensive behaviour — especially when users join public rooms or interact with strangers. 💬 Direct Messaging and Video Chat Bunch is built around private and group video chat. Users can easily message, invite others, or drop into group calls, and there's little content moderation. While video calls feel more personal, they can also become risky - especially if your child connects with strangers or joins public rooms. ⚠️ Toxic Culture & Online Bullying The face-to-face nature of video chat to a higher likelihood of bullying, teasing, or exclusion. This can create a toxic environment, especially for those already struggling with identity or self-esteem. 🚨 Online Predators and Grooming Because Bunch encourages live group interaction and supports open invites, there’s a risk of strangers joining via friend-of-a-friend invites. Predators may exploit this by posing as peers, manipulating conversation, or encouraging kids to connect on other platforms. 📢 Age Verification & Account Safety There is no age verification. Users can sign up with just a username and email or mobile number, and younger children can easily bypass the age requirement. Accounts are tied to contacts and game activity, making privacy oversight more important. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Bunch requires access to your camera, microphone, contacts, and notifications, and may share certain usage data with third-party games and platforms. Avatars and usernames are public by default, and players can be added by username or phone contacts. 🔓 Scams, Unsafe Links & External Risk Since Bunch integrates with third-party games and has real-time chat, players may encourage others to join external apps or websites, some of which may be unsafe. There is a risk of being exposed to phishing links, fake game invites, or malicious Discord servers. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the platform: Familiarise yourself with the apps features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 👨👧Parental supervision: Check their interactions and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Try to stay up-to-date on Internet trends and best practices. 📢Underage Accounts: Bunch might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behavior less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. 💬Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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