KICK
KICK
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MINIMUM AGE: 18
WHAT IS IT? Kick.com is a streaming platform that shares similarities with Twitch and YouTube Live. Just like other live streaming services, users can broadcast content to others in real-time. Users can also interact with creators through chat and other features. WHAT WE SAY: Avoid. 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate ContentKick features explicit adult content, sexually suggestive streams, strong language, drug references, and gambling — often with no clear age verification or warning. Unlike other platforms, Kick allows streams with sexualised clothing, behaviour, and content in “Just Chatting” or “Hot Tub” categories. 🔐 Privacy ConcernsCreating an account requires only an email, with no age verification, and users can freely comment, message, or stream. Kick collects device and user data, and there is little protection for underage users against predators or exposure to personal data leaks. 📱 Cyberbullying and Harassment The interactive nature of live streams makes KICK vulnerable to toxic behaviour, including harassment, hate speech, and targeted bullying in chat sections. While moderation tools exist, they are often minimal or underused, especially in smaller streams. 📢 Lack of AccountabilityKick’s creators have stated a commitment to “free speech”, resulting in minimal moderation and inconsistent enforcement of community guidelines. Users can post offensive or harmful content without serious consequences, and banned users from other platforms often migrate to Kick. 🧑💻 Online Predators & Grooming Due to the anonymity and open access of the platform, online predators may exploit KICK to contact and manipulate younger users through chat or private messaging. Without age-gating, message monitoring, or restrictions on adult-minor communication, grooming behaviors can go undetected. 🚨 Gambling & Harmful InfluencesKick has streaming categories entirely devoted to gambling, including online casinos, sports betting, and “slots”. Some top streamers are sponsored by gambling sites and promote betting as glamorous or exciting — potentially encouraging underage gambling or addiction. 💸 In-Game Purchases Streamers often promote games and in-game purchases, which can pressure viewers—particularly young ones—into making impulsive financial decisions. These promotions may lack transparency or disclaimers about in-game spending risks. 💬 Direct Messaging Direct messaging on KICK poses serious safety concerns due to the absence of sufficient filtering or control settings. Users can receive unsolicited messages, which may be inappropriate or predatory language. 🔓 Scams & Account Theft Scams are a notable problem on KICK, with users sometimes encountering fake giveaways, phishing links, or impersonation attempts. These can result in stolen accounts or personal data breaches. ❌ No Live Location FeatureKick does not offer real-time GPS location sharing by default. It doesn’t ask for or track a user’s physical location through the app itself. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the app: Familiarise yourself with Kick'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: Kick lacks 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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