Messaging and video chat guide
Helping your child to use messaging and video chat apps safely.
- Part of
1. Messaging and online video chat apps
App overview
Instant messaging apps and online video chat platforms are services that allow individuals to communicate in real time through text, voice and video. Messaging apps include WhatsApp, Messenger and Snapchat. These apps offer features like text messages, photographs, videos, voice notes and even group chats. Online video chat platforms, such as Chatroulette, focus on real-time video conversations, often with an element of anonymity.
Instant messaging apps are typically designed for casual conversations, updates and important discussions, often with added features such as video calls and file sharing. Video chat platforms are more for people looking to meet new individuals or explore specific hobbies and interests. Many of these platforms are free to use, although premium features or subscriptions may be available for added functionality.
Official age rating
Messaging apps are widely available to use, and age verification methods for these apps are often lax. The minimum age for many messaging platforms, like WhatsApp, Messenger, Snapchat and Discord, is 13. However, of these platforms, only Messenger has any vigorous age verification methods as it is linked to a user’s Facebook account.
In contrast to the messaging apps, many online video chat platforms state that they are intended for users aged 18-plus. However, larger and more popular video chat platforms often advertise having easy accessibility in order to encourage more users to join. This can mean that age verification methods on these platforms are minimal or non-existent. Other online video chat platforms may use third-party sign-ins, such as logging in via Google or Facebook before the user can begin a video chat.
How children and young people use the apps
Messaging apps are highly accessible and easy-to-use which make them especially appealing for children and young people. Ofcom found in their media use and attitudes 2024 report that 81% of children and young people aged 3 to 17 use an app with voice or video calling services, and a further 98% of children and young people aged 12 to 17 use apps to send messages or make voice or video calls.
Many messaging apps allow users to customise the app to their own preferences, with features like profile pictures or chat backgrounds. Some messaging apps like Snapchat also offer more creative freedom and choice to children and young people. Many children and young people enjoy the ability to use filters on Snapchat to produce and send funny or creative pictures to their friends. Other messaging apps often include features tailored to specific interests or hobbies. For example, Discord’s in-game overlay allows users to easily voice chat or message while gaming, making it especially popular among young gamers.
The anonymity offered by online video chat platforms can be appealing to young people, as they can give users the ability to do and say what they like without being identified. Online video chat platforms have also been popularised by content creators on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, who may record their own interactions on video chat platforms and post them as content. Children and young people may seek to replicate these interactions or record their experiences on video chat platforms and use the content for their own social media profiles.
Popular chat platforms
This is not an exhaustive list of popular platforms but represents some current chat platforms that children and young people may be using:
There are a number of video chat platforms that connect users randomly for one-to-one or group conversations. Parents and carers should be aware that these platforms are not intended for users under the age of 18.