HANGOUTS

HANGOUTS

MINIMUM AGE: 13+
 
WHAT IS IT?
Lets you text, call, share photos and send video messages to people either 1:1 or in group chat. 

WHAT WE SAY:
Safe.

For those over 13, but discuss safety tips with children.

• Any app that allows digital conversations should always be monitored by parents. ​
• Group chats can be with up to 150 people. Make sure children and young people are only connecting with friends in the 'real-world'  - people you know and trust. 
• Users can share messages, photos, videos, maps, emojis, stickers and animated GIFs. 
• Users can turn any conversation into a free group video call with up to 10 contacts. 
• Having open, regular conversations with your child will enable you to keep them safe when it comes to making video and audio calls​.
  

SAFETY TIPS TO CONSIDER:

• Children and young people should only ever speak to people that they know in the 'real-world'. 
• Privacy settings are crucial 
• Users have three options:

1. contact me directly,
2. can send me an invitation, or
3. can’t send me invitations.​

 

• We would recommend switching of Hangout requests so people your child doesn’t know can’t invite them to join a conversation. ​To do this you need to:

1. Go to settings in the left hand corner of the screen.
2. Select customise invite settings.
3. Choose ‘Can’t send invites’.

 

• If your child receives any upsetting content to report or block the person who sent it you need to:

1. Select the person from the Hangouts contact list to open the conversation.
   
2. At the top of the conversation, select Settings Block & Report . To report abuse, select the “Also report” checkbox.
   
3. Click Confirm.

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.

BACK TO ALL APPS