Is HOLLA Safe? What Parents Should Know
Chatting with random people online seems fun, so random chat websites and applications are surprisingly popular. But, if you have kids, you must realize why random conversation applications provide a greater risk than enjoyment.
If your kids also like to chat and use the HOLLA app frequently, please read this complete HOLLA app review to make you understand why it is unsafe for your kids:
What Is HOLLA Used For?
HOLLA is a social networking site and app for live, random video chatting. Whether using it online or its application, you need to grant access to your microphone and camera. Once you're in, the default settings immediately put you in a random live chat with random people.
- Discover Strangers via Video:
HOLLA makes it pretty easy to start video chat by tapping the screen. If users are not interested in this stranger, swipe right on the recommended profile until they find a "match."
- Chat after Matching:
When both you and the stranger hit the "Like" button, you are able to start text chats and see the profiles.
- HOLLA Video Chat
- HOLLA Text Chat After Matching
What Are the Risks of HOLLA
HOLLA puts your kids in various dangers. Here are some of them:
1HOLLA lacks age verification
Although the Google App Store advises it for users 17 years of age and above, age verification is absent. That implies that your underage kids may use this age-inappropriate app.
2Your child could be sexually abused or bullied
According to the Washington Post investigation, HOLLA was removed from the iOS App Store in 2019 as it was complained about and reported for its plenty of sexual content.
In this adults-everywhere community, some adults probably use explicit pictures as their profiles or send sex content after matching. Additionally, if strangers know your kid is under the age of 18, they may lure your kid to sex exploration.
3Your child's personal information may be collected
Using HOLLA, you must use the camera and microphone from the very start of the signup process. More importantly, HOLLA regulates users to show their face in the front of the camera, which is an invasion of privacy. This can put your kids in danger of identity theft, hackers, and privacy concerns.
And that's not all, due to the region filter of the app, which allows users to discover other users based on location, malicious strangers can attempt to meet kids nearby.
4Your child might make an in-app purchase for unlimited features
To access premium services, like Video Chat Plus and Hi Plus, your child might make in-app purchases. This might lead to unexpected expenses for you, as most younger users make the purchases without realizing the financial consequences. These unlimited features can also create a sense of addiction and dependency in kids.
How to Keep Your Child Safe on HOLLA
Wait Until 17
If your kids want to use the HOLLA app, ask them to wait until they turn 17 because then they will be able to protect themselves from online predators. However, if your young kids who are below 17 still insist on using this app, make sure to keep the following things in mind:
Set up Safety Settings
Thankfully, HOLLA boasts some safety measures to protect users' privacy and safety. For example, users can allow calls only from friends on HOLLA or prohibit strangers from screen recording while starting HOLLA video chats. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide.
- Step 1.On the HOLLA app, tap the "Settings" button in the upper-right corner.
- Step 2.Locate "Video Chat" and turn off the "Allow Screen Recording" option.
Block or Report Users
Aside from that, it would help if you taught your kids how to report and ban any offensive or suspicious users or information they come across on the internet.
Ensure they understand how to use the reporting tools on different platforms. In HOLLA, the report button is in the top right corner of the user profile and video chat screens. After you report a user, they are permanently barred from bothering you.
Restrict HOLLA Usage
If your underaged kids use HOLLA but are not willing to comply with online rules, then you can use the AirDroid Parental Control app to protect them online.
It assists you in blocking and adding time limits on hazardous HOLLA websites and apps. For mainstream social apps, like Snapchat, X, etc, it activates alerts when your child searches for or browses inappropriate information.
Bottom Line: Is HOLLA Safe for Teens?
Not at all!! First off, this app is designed for users aged 17+. Plus, HOLLA reviews on the Play Store show how often users who were just looking to chat online were instead exposed to improper information and sexual images. Additionally, random video chats often put your kids at risk of personal data leaks.
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