MONKEY
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MINIMUM AGE: 18
WHAT IS IT? Monkey is a social networking app that focuses on meeting new people through random video chats and messaging. The app allows users to create personalised profiles with features like mood settings and profile music, swipe through user “cards” to find new people, and communicate through video chat, group video calls, or direct messages. With millions of users globally, Monkey promotes making friends online and discovering new communities through real-time interactions. WHAT WE SAY: Avoid. 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate Content Although Monkey’s community guidelines strictly prohibit nudity, sexual content, and other explicit material, the app’s live video matching and real-time interactions mean users may still encounter inappropriate or adult conversations if rules are not consistently followed. The platform states that it uses AI monitoring and manual reviews, but because interactions happen quickly, there remains a risk of exposure to unsuitable content, particularly if age restrictions are bypassed or not effectively enforced. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Monkey states that it aims to protect users’ privacy and uses AI monitoring and manual reviews to detect prohibited content, while private sessions are intended to remain private. However, because the app involves live video matching and real-time interactions, users may still share personal information or be asked for identifiable details, so it’s important to encourage careful sharing and awareness of who they are communicating with online. 📱 Predatory Behaviour & Grooming Risks Monkey’s community guidelines prohibit grooming and any form of sexual exploitation, including adults building relationships with minors for harmful purposes. However, because the app connects users through live video and real-time chats, there remains a risk of inappropriate contact if age restrictions are bypassed, so it’s important for parents and carers to stay aware of who young people are interacting with online. 🚨 Sexual Content & Inappropriate Exposure Monkey’s community guidelines strictly prohibit nudity, sexual content, and harassment, and the platform states it uses AI monitoring and manual reviews to detect violations. However, because interactions happen through live video matching, users may still encounter inappropriate behaviour if rules are not followed, particularly if age restrictions are bypassed, so awareness and supervision are important. 🧠 Mental Health & Emotional Harm Live video interactions with strangers can sometimes include negative comments, bullying, or uncomfortable conversations, which may affect young people’s confidence or emotional wellbeing. Encouraging open conversations and supporting teens to leave interactions that feel upsetting can help reduce potential harm. ⚠️ Misinformation & Peer Pressure Because Monkey connects users with people they may not know, young people may encounter false identities or feel pressure to share personal information or images. Encouraging open conversations and reminding teens not to share anything they’re uncomfortable with can help reduce the risk of manipulation or unsafe situations. 🧑💻 Moderation & Safety Features Monkey states that it uses AI monitoring and manual reviews to detect and remove prohibited content, and encourages users to report inappropriate behaviour. However, because interactions happen live and in real time, not all harmful behaviour may be identified immediately, so users may still encounter inappropriate content or conduct during calls. 🔓 Risk of Sextortion, Scams & Identity Theft As with many platforms that connect users with strangers, there is a risk of scams or attempts to manipulate users into sharing personal or sensitive content. In some cases, individuals may misuse images or information to pressure or deceive others, so it’s important to remind young people not to share anything private and to report any concerning behaviour. 🚫 Safeguards & Parental Awareness Monkey states that it uses AI monitoring and manual reviews alongside community guidelines to promote safety, but it does not offer dedicated parental control features. Because the app connects users through live matching, there remains a risk of interacting with people who may not be who they claim to be, so parental awareness and open conversations are important. ✅ Location Sharing Monkey does not include a feature that shows users’ real-time location on a map. However, the app may access general location information depending on device permissions, and users may still share where they are through conversations or linked social media, so it’s important to be mindful about what is shared. 📹 Live Video Chat Live video chat is a core feature of Monkey, where users are randomly matched with others for short, real-time conversations, with the option to continue chatting. Because these interactions connect strangers instantly, there is a risk of uncomfortable conversations, unwanted contact, or sharing of personal information, so young people should be encouraged to end chats that feel unsafe and avoid sharing contact details. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
🛡️ Monkey Community Guidelines found here. 📲 Understand the app - Familiarise yourself with the platforms 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. 👥 Managing Friend Requests - Encourage your child to only accept friend requests from people they know and trust in real life. Remind them that “friends of friends” online may still be strangers, and mutual connections do not automatically make someone safe. 📷 Webcam Safety - Talk to your child about covering their webcam when it’s not in use. Help them understand the importance of being aware of what’s visible in the background during video calls, as personal items or surroundings can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trusting Their Instincts - Reassure your child that if something feels uncomfortable, they should leave the chat immediately. Encourage them not to engage with anyone who seems suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate, and to tell a trusted adult. 🖥️ Keeping Devices in Shared Spaces - Where possible, keep internet-connected devices in shared areas such as living rooms or kitchens rather than bedrooms. This can help reduce risky behaviour and makes it easier to supervise online activity naturally. 🚨 Recognising Warning Signs - Be aware of changes in your child’s behaviour, such as increased anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These may indicate that something concerning has happened online. 💬 Keeping Communication Open - Have regular, open conversations about online safety, including topics such as bullying, grooming, sexual or criminal exploitation, body image pressures, and how to report concerns or seek support. Creating a safe space for discussion helps children feel comfortable coming to you if something goes wrong. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you see suspected child sexual abuse content online, report it to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which helps remove illegal images from the internet. If you’re worried about online sexual exploitation or abuse, you can make a report to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) - a UK law enforcement team dedicated to protecting children and young people online. 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 Factsheets for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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