Cyber Safety

"Houseparty" is off the hook right now: What parents need to know

Teen-targeted video-chatting app Houseparty has exploded over the past two weeks, as housebound kids turn to their screens to connect with friends. But privacy concerns abound, amid increasing reports of data breaches, geo-location risks and porn-bombing.

Houseparty is like Zoom on alcopops.

Like Zoom, it’s a social networking app that allows users to connect with up to eight others. Members of the chat are then split up on screen to make it feel like everyone is in the same room. 

So far, so familiar. But here’s what’s different, and why kids are crashing Houseparty in huge numbers right now.

Unlike more business-oriented  video-conferencing applications like Zoom or Skype, Houseparty features in-app games and trivia in a range of fun categories, from entertainment and superheroes to geography and sports.

(Fun fact: the app is owned by Epic Games, creators of Fortnite.)

The “houseparty” theme continues with a feature that lets users “lock the room” they are chatting in, blocking others from joining in on the chat. It’s a feature that has both risks and benefits - opening the door to social sidelining and passive-aggressive cyberbullying while also affording some privacy protection (see below).

Risks to children

Location settings

This is a major red flag for parents, as Houseparty’s default geo-location feature can be used by predators to pinpoint children’s exact location.

Data mining

When your child signs up to Houseparty, they are asked to hand over their entire contact list, which will be stored on the app’s servers. 

"If you choose to import your personal contacts from your mobile device we will access your personal contacts in order to identify Users that you may know that are using the Services and to provide other Users with suggestions for potential Connections based on mutual contacts," Houseparty's privacy policy explains.

Unless they choose “Skip” at this step, the app will set to work soliciting your child’s friends - without their consent - for further business. 

Hacking

Houseparty users are complaining that they have been hacked, reporting on social media that their PayPal, Netflix, Spotify, and online-banking accounts were compromised, according to a report today by businessinsider.com. The company has denied these reports.

Porn-bombing

Houseparty is the latest app to be targeted for this new online nastiness, which involves users dropping inappropriate on-screen content - typically porn or their own naked images - without warning or permission. The trend has also been rife on Zoom in the past few weeks, where it’s become known as

“Zoombombing.” 

On Zoom, it’s an easy matter to find and access another person’s group call - and it’s the same on Houseparty. Experts advise users to keep their rooms locked if possible, and to avoid adding strangers as friends.

Reporting online abuse

Houseparty provides no channel for reporting abuse. But users can block anyone while video-chatting with them by tapping on that person’s chat screen to reveal the settings toggle, and “Private Mode” can be activated by tapping the pink settings wheel.

How should parents respond?

It's a tough call, when kids are stuck at home and unable to see their friends through the normal face-to-face channels. If your child already has Houseparty, or is asking for it, be sure to discuss the potential risks, and to insist that Private Mode is activated.

Family Zone cyber expert Jordan Foster, clinical psychologist and managing director of ySafe, advises,

"If used appropriately, this app is a great resource for teens. However, my concern is that without adequate supervision, this app lends itself not only to easy conversations with strangers, but overwhelming possibility for endless chats. It's not dissimilar to an old school chat site, where new people come into rooms and you're notified every time a new connection comes along. 

"Our suggestion is that this app is for users aged 13+, with teens between 13-15 not allowed to use the app late at night or close to bedtime. Using the app in a communal area is a great idea, with parents regularly checking in on the conversation content."

Most importantly, keep Houseparty - along with all device activity - out of children's bedrooms entirely, and prohibit screen-time of any kind at least an hour before bedtime.

Remember: Wherever kids are going online, predators will follow - and Houseparty is the latest online craze.