Sarahah
Sarahah
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MINIMUM AGE: 17+
WHAT IS IT? Sarahah is an anonymous messaging platform. Users create a profile and receive anonymous messages or “feedback” from others. The app is marketed as a way to give and receive “honest opinions” — but in practice, it’s often used for anonymous criticism, bullying, or harassment. Whilst the app was closed some time ago, the platform still remain and is fully accessible online via their website. WHAT WE SAY: Avoid. 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate Content Sarahah allows anyone to send unmoderated, anonymous messages. This opens the door to sexually explicit comments, hate speech, personal attacks, and violent threats — all without the sender being identified or held accountable. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Data may be stored or used without clear user understanding. The app has been previously criticised for accessing contact lists without permission and has a history of data privacy issues. 📱 Cyberbullying & Harassment Risks Because of its anonymous format, Sarahah has been linked to severe cases of online bullying. There are few safeguards in place, and targets of harassment may have no way to report or block the sender. 🚨 Mental Health Impact The platform has been banned in multiple countries and removed from major app stores at times due to concerns about teen suicide and mental health effects. ⚠️ No Effective Moderation or Reporting There is no real-time moderation of messages, and the reporting tools are limited. Harmful or abusive content often remains visible for days — if it gets removed at all. ✅ No Location Sharing or Live Chat Sarahah does not include live video, voice chat, or public GPS sharing. ⚠️ But it can still access location data in the background if permissions are granted and use it for targeting or data profiling. BOTTOM LINE: Sarahah is a high-risk platform due to its anonymous, unfiltered format. It is strongly associated with cyberbullying, emotional harm, and mental health risks, particularly among teens. We recommend it be blocked or closely monitored on any device used by a child or teenager. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the app: Familiarise yourself with Sarahah'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: Sarahah 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 targeting 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. 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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