It’s been years since the buzz of MySpace, but now, four apps have helped us stay connected though the Covid-19 nightmare – Houseparty, TikTok, Zoom and Slack.
Slack and Zoom are aimed more at business people or colleagues who want to keep in touch in business settings. With more people working from home and employers understanding the flexible nature and the benefits, Zoom is also providing the contact and relationship access needed during isolation.
However, Houseparty has become the cool app for younger people to use, while TikTok also remains popular. TikTok users create short videos, upload them and allow people to watch them. The app has been particularly popular over the past two years.
Years ago teenagers filled their free time with MySpace, Bebo and MSN Messenger, but they have decreased in popularity, and these modern apps have taken off.
But as millions are obeying the advice to stay at home, Houseparty has emerged as a success, with a heavy increase in downloads. In February, it enjoyed an average of 130,000 a week, but in March that figure reached two million, according to data firm Apptopia.
However, concerns have been raised about its safety.
Users claimed last week that their accounts had been hacked and Houseparty was quick to respond by tweeting that it was “investigating indications that the recent hacking rumours were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign”.
The company is offering an £810,000 reward to the first person who can show proof.
We are investigating indications that the recent hacking rumors were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty. We are offering a $1,000,000 bounty for the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign to bounty@houseparty.com.
— Houseparty (@houseparty) March 31, 2020
The free to use app is owned by the developer of Fortnite.
It allows users to play games and make video calls with contacts, emulating the real house party environment.
When contacts are online, a notification is sent to friends, so a ‘room’ can be organised. Rooms can be locked or left open for strangers to join.
Parents often ask – can I stop random people jumping into my child’s Houseparty?
It’s good to know you can prevent people from entering a conversation by locking the room when everyone you want to see has arrived.
There are a few things you can do to boost your child’s privacy. With your child, go to settings (click the smiley face and then the cogwheel button) and switch to private. This way nobody uninvited can join.
If you’re in a chat, you can also click on the padlock icon to lock the chat and keep it private. If your child feels uncomfortable in chat, they can exit by clicking the ‘X’.
You can also change your child’s location settings by going to the permissions section and switching location off. Making sure your child’s location is private helps to keep their personal details and whereabouts safe.
Have you seen the new review for the Houseparty app on #NetAware yet? For the latest on how to help keep your children safe online with @O2, visit: https://t.co/araOLo5v4a pic.twitter.com/Tv5205N8cW
— NSPCC (@NSPCC) April 3, 2020
Do your children use Houseparty? Together with @NSPCC, we've reviewed the app on #NetAware.
Check out our verdict for simple and practical advice to keep your kids safe online ? https://t.co/aJWnGU6U6r pic.twitter.com/U7sXipAhoT
— O2 in the UK (@O2) April 3, 2020
Speaking to Forbes, security expert Lukas Stefanko said that Houseparty was relatively safe compared to many apps, and that the only risk to privacy was the fact that any user you add on the app can start video chatting if you are logged on, unless you change the settings.