FACETIME
FACETIME
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MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? FaceTime allows you to make video and audio calls from your Apple devices using the internet. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with Caution 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate Content While FaceTime isn’t a public platform, children can still be exposed to inappropriate behaviour, conversations, or images during private calls — particularly if they’re video chatting with people they don’t know well or are unsupervised. 🔐 Privacy ConcernsFaceTime uses end-to-end encryption, which protects call content from being intercepted. However, it still shows your contact details (such as phone number or email), and unsupervised children may call or be called by people outside their safe circle, particularly if contacts are shared with other apps. 📢 Lack of Parental Controls There are no in-app parental controls within FaceTime. If a child has access to the app, they can make and receive calls freely, including from blocked or unknown numbers if not properly managed through device settings. 📱 Cyberbullying and Peer PressureFaceTime can be used to bully, exclude, or pressure children in one-on-one or group calls. For example, group video calls may be used to tease or mock others, or to record conversations or screens without permission. 🧑💻 Online Predators & Grooming Predators may exploit FaceTime to build trust with minors through video chats. It’s important to know who you’re talking to and set strict contact permissions. 🧠 Addiction & Mental Health Excessive use of FaceTime, especially late at night, can affect sleep, concentration, and emotional well-being—particularly in young users. 💬 Direct Messaging Although FaceTime is primarily for calls, it integrates with iMessage, allowing users to send texts, images, and videos, which can be misused if not monitored. |
SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the app: Familiarise yourself with Facetime's 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: Facetime 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 targetting children and young people. 👥Manage friend requests: Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 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. 
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