Safeguarding Alert
Our online safety experts have been alerted to an extremely dangerous website and app called ‘Monkey’, which allows users to have video calls with strangers. The platform markets itself as ‘an alternative to Omegle, with a TikTok vibe’. Our online safety experts reviewed and tested this platform and have found that it contains large amounts of inappropriate, disturbing, and harmful content transmitted via web cameras.
Here is everything you need to know…
What is Monkey?
- Monkey is an online video chat service that is similar to Omegle or Chat Roulette, with a TikTok style interface.
- Users can talk to strangers from all over the world via webcam.
- Once a conversation is finished, or one user wishes to leave the conversation or talk to someone else, they click ‘next’ and are presented with a new user who could be from anywhere in the world.
- Users are asked to select their gender before meeting people.
Age Rating?
- The website states that all users must be over 18, but there is zero age verification. Users only have to tick a box to confirm that they are over 18. Google Play Age Rating: Parental Guidance.
- The app is currently only available on Android devices.
What are the Key Functions?
- Users can create a profile using their Google or Facebook account.
- If users are using this platform on a desktop, they will not need to create an account or sign in to talk to people, but if users are using the app, they must create an account and sign in.
- Buying ‘Monkey Plus’ gives the user additional bonuses such as the ability to filter gender and add a VIP badge to their profile. This is currently $2.99 a month.
- Users can report people either during a conversation or via their profile directly.
- There is a ‘Knock Knock’ feature that you can use to instantly contact someone and have a one-on-one chat with them. This can be disabled in your settings.
- Users can post images to their profile. These are called moments and are similar to posts on TikTok where you can add music.
- Users can add different things to their profile such as their mood, profile music and information about them including their hobbies.
Key Safeguarding Concerns
Whilst testing this platform, reviewers found that every second or third user was a male masturbating, with some attempting to interact. Reviewers found countless examples of adverts for sex, as well as pornography and bestiality. Extremely harmful content can flash up for a few seconds before the user clicks next, meaning there is no time to report in most cases.
The unpredictability of this content is likely to increase the shock factor and harmful impact because users have no warning as to what may appear.
There is little to no age verification mechanisms which children of any age can easily bypass. All users must do is tick a box to confirm that they are over 18. If users are signing in using their Facebook or Google accounts, the platform will still ask for a date of birth without any proof. The place where users input their DOB is pre-set to age 18.
Everything, from the name, to the graphics used on the platform suggest this is created to attract children. It is described as ‘an Omegle Alternative with TikTok vibes’. On Google Play Store, its description reads ‘Make friends and chat to celebrities’ and the app has copied TikTok’s vertical style video feed.
Buying ‘Monkey Plus’ gives the user additional bonuses such as the ability to filter gender and add a VIP badge to their profile. This is currently $2.99 a month.
There are ample opportunities to spend money via VIP profiles or through buying more in-app currency called coins.
The location of every user is shared publicly (not specifically but will say a country and a town/city) and there is no option to block this.
If you deny the camera, Monkey will prompt you ‘Monkey needs the cam‘.
Our online safety experts have located numerous examples of screenshots from Monkey being shared on mainstream social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram. Monkey also has its own accounts on TikTok and Instagram with a link to the site in the bio of each profile. This means that young people may be driven to the platform by viral videos discussing the site.
As with all livestreaming apps, children and young people could give away personal information without realising. They may also share details with strangers online or via linking their Facebook or Google accounts.
Safety and Privacy Settings
If a user sees something harmful or inappropriate, they can use the reporting tools. Users are then told that ‘you have reported successfully’. This feature offers zero opportunity to describe the reason for reporting. The user who has been reported could also be operating from a desktop and not signed in, so there is little to no accountability for those who break the platforms community guidelines.
Users can also report a profile. Users are asked what was inappropriate and given four options: Underage, Inappropriate Content, Spam and No Reason. Users are then thanked for their reporting.
Users can block profiles. This will remove any of the history you and that account may have had.
Users can turn off features such as ‘Knock Knock’ as well as hide their ‘Online Status’.
Top Tips for talking to your child about online risks
- Engage young people in a conversation about keeping safe online and who they would talk to if someone made them feel uncomfortable online or if they see something online that worries or upsets them.
- When talking to a child or young person, it’s best not to mention the app or website by name. If you do, it is likely that the child or young person will check out the platform on their own if they haven’t done so already. Instead, ask them what kind of new sites/apps they are using with their friends.
- You should support children to understand the implications of sharing content that is explicit, particularly if this involves images or chats with other children.
- You can also submit an online report to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) by clicking here.
Helpful Advice & Guidance
- Ensure Google SafeSearch is enabled on your child’s devices. It will help filter out any explicit material from initial searches and protect them. Learn how to do this by using our helpful guidance and easy-to-follow steps on Our Safety Centre.
- If you or the child in your care have searched this term and found illegal content, it is important that you report your findings to the police. Do not save a photo or video to your device. You can find out more about how to report harmful images here.
- Peer pressure can impact young people’s behaviour, as they may feel intense pressure to participate in online viral trends and challenges. Make sure you talk about examples of what positive social media use looks like and how they can recognise peer pressure.
- Use our Trusted Adult Resources to teach young people about the importance of seeking help if something worries or upsets them.
- Talk to the children and young people in your care about how they can block and report content or behaviour that upsets or worries them. Use our Online Safety Centre to learn how to enable privacy and safety settings together.
- Read our Harmful Content article for tips on how to talk to and support the child in your care.
- Encourage open, honest, and non-judgmental conversations into your everyday routine. Explain to the children in your care that they can ask you questions about anything they come across or are unsure of online.
- Parents, carers, and safeguarding professionals often talk about the support they receive from other adults on addressing online harms to children. Make sure you share this article to support your friends and colleagues.
- Children can use the Childline Toolbox if they are feeling anxious, scared, or stressed. It has breathing exercises, videos, games, and activities to help children let go of stress.
If you have concerns about the immediate safety of a young person, you should contact the emergency services on 999 (emergency number)