Houseparty is the viral video chat app that has been taking the world by storm during the coronavirus lockdowns. Last week alone the app had 2m downloads worldwide, compared to 130,000 the same time last month.

Important update below

According to the BBC this week online rumours alleged that downloading the app led to other services such as Netflix and Spotify being hacked. However the company said there was "no evidence" to back up those claims. 

Houseparty have issued a statement denying the allegations.

"We've found no evidence to suggest a link between Houseparty and the compromises of other unrelated accounts."

"As a general rule, we suggest all users choose strong passwords when creating online accounts on any platform."

What is Houseparty?

The social networking app has been around since 2016 and enables group video chatting through mobile and desktop apps.

Houseparty focuses on video chats, quizzes and games to bring people together digitally when they can’t be with each other physically.

The app notifies users when their friends go into the app and shows who is talking to whom, with up to eight people permitted in any one group conversation.

Safety tips 

Although the app only accepts users age 12+ it is very easy to bypass this. Internet Matters research found that 60% of Houseparty users are between the ages of 16 and 24.

As it is a live app, there is no screening of the content shared so there is the potential for inappropriate content.

Use security features:

• Make sure children “lock” their chat room and choose private settings.
• Turn on the “Stranger Danger” feature, which alerts users when individuals they may not know, enter their room.
• Turn on Private Mode in the settings, which makes every room a locked room.
• Create groups that only include close friends.

Before you go...

In response to the school closures, we are now offering a 1-year licence of our award-winning safeguarding and pupil voice software tootoot for £350 regardless of enrolment.