Zift Advisory
With different features, such as the ability to broadcast videos, share selfies, and interact with other members, YouNow allows users to share their lives with the app’s community. It can be downloaded for free from iTunes and Google Play and offers in-app purchases. Due to its interactive nature, it should only be used by individuals aged 18+.
What is YouNow: Live Stream & Go Live?
YouNow is a social networking and live streaming app that allows users to live stream videos, chat with other members, and both take and share selfies. It can be downloaded for free from iTunes and Google Play but does offer the option of in-app purchases.
Once the app is downloaded and users create their account, they can then begin broadcasting their own videos by tapping the green “Go Live” button on their homepage.
Similar to the app Periscope, users can discover new videos by browsing through the most recently added broadcasts, or by specifically looking at the videos created by the users that they follow. If you find a video that you would like to comment on, you can either publicly post a comment, or send a private chat message to whichever user broadcasted the video.
In addition to commenting on videos and chatting with users, members can also purchase gifts to send to their friends, and act as guests on other individuals’ broadcasts.
In-app purchases range from $0.99 to $159.99 and allow users to upgrade their accounts in order to access certain features, such as the ability to re-play live videos and send super chat messages.
The app has an average rating of approximately 3 stars, with some users having commented that it is very slow and oftentimes has glitches.
Is YouNow: Live Stream & Go Live safe for my kids?
Due to its many interactive elements and potential for mature themes, YouNow is unsafe for children and should only be used by those aged 18 or older. However, to make an account with the app, users must only be 13 years old.
Parents should know that the entire purpose of YouNow is to allow users to share videos of themselves with strangers and connect them with new people. This creates the possibility of children coming into contact with Internet predators.
Additionally, because there are no content restrictions for private chat conversations, users may discuss mature topics that are not appropriate for those under the age of 18.
Although the app does have some restrictions for its live broadcasts, such as the banning of hate speech, nudity, and excessive violence, this does not mean that the videos cannot contain any mature topics, like alcohol references, profanity, crude humor, or suggestive themes.
In order to use YouNow, the app requires substantial amounts of personal information from users, such as location, access to their phone’s data, and access to both their camera and photos. Many parents may not be comfortable with their child using an app that requires so much information.
Finally, the app does allow users to make in-app purchases, something that parents may not wish for their child to have access to. If this is the case, simply prevent your child from using the app altogether.
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