commonsensemedia

Published 03.04.2015 04:04

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YouNow: Broadcast, Chat, and Watch Live Video

YouNow: Broadcast, Chat, and Watch Live Video gallery

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that YouNow is a live video-streaming and chat app. The user agreement and app stores specify that users must be 13 and older. Teens register using an existing social media account (Facebook, Twitter, or Google+), though they can view broadcasts without registering. Privacy is an issue, but kids can change their username to something more anonymous than their Facebook or Google+ identity. YouNow clearly forbids nudity, sexual content, and bullying in its community guidelines, but there is no promise of oversight. Profanity is prevalent. Users can report violators as well as block specific viewers, but there is no way to ensure teens won't encounter objectionable live content. By posting, a user is consenting to YouNow using their videos however they wish, though the user retains ownership.