Before your child downloads an app, check these five things
A quick family check can help you understand who can make contact, what an app collects, whether it shares location and how purchases are controlled.
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Children often hear about new apps from friends, videos or advertisements. An app can look harmless in the store while still including public profiles, private messages, location sharing or purchases.
You do not need to understand every technical detail before saying yes. A short check together can reveal whether the app suits your child and what settings should be changed before they use it.
1. Who can contact your child?
Start by finding out whether the app includes comments, private messages, voice chat or live video. These features can allow people your child does not know to contact them.
Check whether the account can be made private and whether messages can be limited to approved friends. Ask your child to only accept people they genuinely know and show them where the block and report buttons are located.
Make one family rule clear from the beginning. If somebody says something frightening, sexual, threatening or uncomfortable, your child can come to you without automatically losing their device. Children are more likely to ask for help when they know the first response will be calm and supportive.
2. Does it share their location?
Some apps use location for maps, local recommendations, photographs or nearby friend features. Others may ask for location even when it is not essential.
Look at the permission request and ask why the app needs this information. Choose the most private option that still lets the app work. This might mean allowing location only while the app is open or refusing it completely.
Also check whether posts, photographs or profiles can display a live location. A private account is helpful, but it is still wise to avoid sharing a home address, school, regular route or current location with a large group.
3. What information does it collect?
An app may request access to the camera, microphone, photographs, contacts or other information stored on the device. Access should match what the app actually does.
A video calling app reasonably needs a camera and microphone while it is being used. A simple puzzle game probably does not need access to every contact or photograph.
Review permissions in the device settings after installation. You can usually change them later if something does not feel right. Help your child choose a username that does not reveal their full name, school or year of birth, and avoid placing personal details in a public profile.
4. Can money be spent inside the app?
Free apps can still include subscriptions, game currency, digital items and other purchases. Small payments can add up quickly, particularly when card details are already saved.
Check whether purchases are offered and turn on approval for every transaction. A child account linked to a parent account can make this easier. It is also worth agreeing on what they are allowed to buy and how much they can spend before the first request appears.
Explain that countdowns, limited items and special offers are designed to encourage quick decisions. Waiting and asking first is always acceptable.
5. Can harmful content be blocked and reported?
Before approving an app, find its safety or help section. Confirm that your child can block another user and report bullying, unwanted contact, impersonation or inappropriate content.
Show your child how to take a screenshot when it is safe to do so. Evidence can help when reporting an account or asking the platform, school or police for support. Serious online abuse may also be reportable to the eSafety Commissioner.
The eSafety Guide provides information about popular apps, games and services, including age requirements, privacy settings and reporting options. It is a useful place to check an unfamiliar app before deciding.
Make the check a conversation
The goal is not to catch your child doing something wrong. It is to make safer choices together and help them recognise risks for themselves.
Ask what they like about the app, who they expect to use it with and what they would do if something went wrong. Review the settings together after major updates because permissions and privacy options can change.
Five calm minutes before downloading an app can prevent confusion later. More importantly, it shows your child that online safety is something you can work through as a team.