HOUSEPARTY

HOUSEPARTY

MINIMUM AGE: 13+
 
WHAT IS IT?
Houseparty is a group video chatting app. Users receive a notification when friends are online and available to group video chat.

WHAT WE SAY:
Treat with caution.
​

• This app is free allowing users to chat one-on-one or in groups of up to eight through video chat.
• You can also play games with those you are chatting to. 
• Talk to children and young people about locking all rooms, what to do if a stranger shows up and the importance of good behaviour.
• In live video situations, everything can also be recorded​, so children and young people need to be aware of what they share. 

SAFETY TIPS TO CONSIDER:

• Live streaming could potentially reveal location - personal information could be shared. Talk to your child about the importance of not sharing personal information online. 
• Ask your child to tell you if anything goes wrong​. Also make sure they use their device in a room whereby adults at home are present.
• ​In settings, make sure ‘Private Mode’ is switched on so your child’s chats are kept private. This should help keep your child’s contacts to people they know.

• Show your child how to ‘ghost’, block, report and unfriend.
  
• Ghost - is a way of staying anonymous from certain people without deleting them. It means they won’t see when you’re online, however you can still choose to talk to them if you wish.
• Report – report someone if they’ve sent something that breaks the community guidelines (these are called the Party Guidelines).
• Block – choose to block someone without them knowing. This means they can't contact you. You can also unblock them if you want.
• Unfriend – stop being friends with someone, which means they can no longer contact you. Unlike blocking, you can’t undo this without the other person being notified.
• Remember to let your child know that they can always talk to you about worrying things they see online.
• Have open discussions 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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