The social networking app known as “Monkey” is incredibly well-liked among young adults and kids of all ages, and it was formerly regarded as one of the top apps available in the Apple App Store in the United States. You might be familiar with the app Omegle, which was quite popular in the early 2010s. Monkey is somehow combining some Omegle features that allow users to engage in video and text chat with random individuals from around the world over the internet. So, how risky is it for children to use the Monkey app?
We have put up a handy little guide that will tell you all there is to know about the Monkey app. Have a look at it down below!
What Exactly is the Monkey App?
The Monkey app is a combination of video chatting and social networking that enables younger users, such as children and teens, to engage with complete strangers online. In some ways, Monkey is similar to the combination of Omegle, Instagram, and TikTok. There is an overwhelming variety of means through which one may connect with new individuals and interesting features. Let’s find out what makes the Monkey app so great, shall we?
Best Features
Video
The most well-known aspect of Monkey is the random video chat function that it offers. After installing the app and setting up an account, you will be able to initiate video chats with complete strangers from anywhere in the world. You have the option to end the discussion after 15 seconds if you do not like the person you are conversing with or if you believe that the conversation is not going in the direction that you would like it to go.
Text-based chatting service, aka “Knock Knocks”
You can start a conversation with random individuals through text if you don’t feel comfortable going live on video. “Knock Knocks” is the name of the feature, and it’s really cool. You are able to view information about the person with whom you are speaking, such as their name, profile photo, and even location.
Duo Video Chat
The Monkey app provides users with the exclusive opportunity to participate in “duo chats” and to be paired with two individuals simultaneously. You and your companion can couple up with other pairs of people, and another pair of people can pair up with the two of you.
Cards/Matching
“Cards” are photos of individuals that you can view and swipe either right or left. If both of you swipe right on each other during the same round, you will be matched. When you swipe right, you don’t get to see the whole profile of the person you’re interested in. You are able to check out their image in addition to their location and zodiac sign.
Is the Monkey Risk-Free?
To answer your question in a nutshell: not really. It doesn’t matter how many security features an app has. Conversing with random people online is an invitation for tragedy, and this is especially true when we’re talking about children as young as 13 years old. Therefore, there is a chance that your kid will be shown things that you would prefer they not see. There are several activities in which a person who is just 13 years old is not mature enough to participate.
In addition, cyberbullying is another significant concern, and Monkey is not immune to the issue that haunts social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. This holds especially true for children who are approaching their teenage years.
Nevertheless, one of the aspects of the Monkey program that raises the greatest concerns is the way it encourages users to live-record themselves. It really is awful! As soon as you start the Monkey app, it will automatically activate your phone’s front-facing camera. In everyday use, the app is highly insistent that users display their faces, which isn’t exactly ideal from the perspective of protecting users’ privacy.
How Does Monkey Ensure the Safety of Its Users?
The following is an outline of some of the rules that Monkey has in place to keep its users safe:
- Monitoring Available Around the Clock: There is a Staff That Monitors Reported Content Around the Clock
- Machine learning: the app makes use of machine learning to identify content that violates its content restrictions in any way, including sexual content
- Monkey provides help via email and is willing to collaborate with the police and other law enforcement organizations to settle significant situations
Finally, we can understand the Monkey app’s drawbacks and how it works, so it’s up to you as a parent if the app is suited for your kid!