Online safety experts have alerted us, via the Torbay Safeguarding Hub, 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’. Everything, from the name, to the graphics used on the platform, suggest this is created to attract children.  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.

You can find out everything you need to know about this App by reading the full article here: Safeguarding ALERT - Monkey Web - Ineqe Safeguarding Group 

This article also has a really useful YouTube clip about how to talk to your children about online risks.

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.