BIGO Live App Review: What Parents Need to Know

Are your kids hooked on live streaming apps lately? It seems like every kid nowadays is glued to their screens, watching live broadcasts, right? But let's talk real for a moment. Sure, these apps can be fun and entertaining, but they come with their fair share of concerns too. From exposure to inappropriate content to potential privacy risks, there's a lot to think about.

Now, let's zoom in on one of these apps making waves in the live streaming scene: BIGO Live. Now, if you're like me, you might be wondering: What exactly is this app, and is it safe for our kids? Well, worry not! Today, we're diving into the BIGO Live app to give you the lowdown on what it's all about and what you need to know to keep your kids safe in the digital world.

What is the BIGO Live App and how does it work?

• As of March 2020, BIGO LIVE stood as the 6th top-grossing streaming app in the United States and 5th globally, considering the total revenue from in-app purchases.

• BIGO LIVE boasts a global user base exceeding 400 million. The United States ranks as the fourth country with the highest number of active users on the BIGO Live App.

Think of BIGO Live as a virtual stage where people can share moments of their lives, talents, and interests with others in real time. BIGO Live is a social media app where you can easily share live videos or vlogs with random people. You can also do video calls with one-to-one or up to nine people at once. To use the app, you sign up with accounts like Facebook or Google, and then you can explore new, popular, or nearby videos and share your own. 

On BIGO Live, fans can send virtual gifts, which are called beans, to their favorite livestreamers. Livestreamers can then turn these beans into money. Additionally, there's a new feature called Fans Group, where livestreamers can offer different levels of content that their fans can subscribe to every month.

Here's how it goes down:

Live Streaming: BIGO Live is all about live streaming. Users can broadcast themselves doing pretty much anything – singing, dancing, gaming, cooking, you name it! It's like having your own mini TV show that anyone around the world can tune into.

Interacting with Viewers: What makes BIGO Live exciting is that viewers can interact with the streamers in real-time. They can send virtual gifts, leave comments, or even join the live chat. It's being part of a live audience and talking to the performer directly.

Discovering Content: On BIGO Live, there's always something new to discover. Users can explore a variety of streams happening at any given moment, from trending topics to niche interests. It's flipping through TV channels but with a lot more variety!

Building a Following: Just like social media platforms, users on BIGO Live can build a following of fans who enjoy watching their streams. The more engaging and entertaining the content, the more followers and likes users can attract.

Earning Rewards: Here's where it gets interesting – users can earn rewards on BIGO Live! Streamers can receive virtual gifts from their viewers, which can be converted into real money. They get paid for putting on a show from the comfort of their own homes.

What are the risks of using BIGO Live?

Well, some say live streaming is fun and lets kids express themselves, but it also has risks to consider.

Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Users may encounter inappropriate, violent, or vulgar content while browsing through BIGO Live. There have been instances where users have come across streams featuring explicit language, sexual content, or violence.

Lack of Effective Age Verification: BIGO Live lacks a robust age verification system, allowing users of all ages to access the platform. Children may inadvertently share personal information without realizing the potential risks involved. For instance, kids might disclose their age, location, or other sensitive details while interacting with others on the app, putting their privacy at risk.

Chatting with Strangers and Nearby Users: BIGO Live enables users to chat with strangers and search for nearby users, increasing the likelihood of interacting with unfamiliar individuals. This feature raises concerns about children interacting with potentially harmful individuals or being exposed to inappropriate conversations. There have been reports of users encountering strangers with malicious intent or engaging in inappropriate behavior through the app's chat function.

Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Exploitation: The anonymity and accessibility of BIGO Live can make it a breeding ground for cyberbullying, harassment, and exploitation. Children may become targets of bullying or harassment from other users, leading to negative emotional effects and psychological distress. Also, there is a risk of individuals exploiting vulnerable users, such as minors, for malicious purposes or grooming them for inappropriate activities.

Promotion of Narcissism, Addiction, and Unhealthy Competition: The emphasis on gaining likes, followers, and virtual gifts on BIGO Live can promote narcissistic tendencies among users, especially impressionable children and teenagers. The addictive nature of seeking validation and recognition through the app's features can lead to excessive usage and dependency. Furthermore, the competitive atmosphere on BIGO Live may foster unhealthy competition among users, fueling a desire for validation and attention at any cost.

What is the age rating of BIGO Live App?

BIGO Live is generally recommended for users aged 17 and above due to the potential for mature content and interactions on the platform.

BIGO Live is available for download on the Google Play Store. It is listed as suitable for teens and older. The reasons provided are user interaction, location sharing, and in-app Purchases.

BIGO Live is also available on the App Store, where it is labeled as appropriate for users aged 17 and above due to "Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity" and "Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes." 

Common Sense Media suggests it for users above 17. It cautions parents about the potential risks of  Livestreamer rewards narcissism and adult content.

How Mobicip can help you protect your children from Apps like BIGO Live?

Mobicip is a top parental control solution that parents use to monitor and manage their children's online activity and teach healthy digital habits.

Below are some of the stellar features of Mobicip:

1. Remote Management: With Mobicip, you can view and manage your kids' devices from anywhere. Whether at work or running errands, you can keep an eye on what they're up to online.

2. Time Management: You can set time limits, schedules, and curfews for when our kids can use certain apps. This helps ensure they're not spending too much time glued to screens.

3. App and Website Controls: Mobicip lets us control which apps and websites our kids can access. You can block or allow specific ones or even create a whitelist of approved sites.

4. Activity Alerts: You'll get alerts if Mobicip detects any suspicious or harmful activity or content on our kids' devices. This gives us peace of mind knowing you'll be notified if anything concerning pops up.

5. Reports and Insights: Mobicip generates reports and insights on your kids' online behavior and trends. This will help you understand how they're using the internet, identify areas where we may need to step in, and provide guidance.

To protect your child online, sign up for a 7-day free trial and start using Mobicip today!

Written by Reshmita Das

Say hello to Reshmita Das, the chief editor of Mobicip Blogs and a dedicated advocate for children’s online safety. With over 8 years of experience, Reshmita brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Mobicip’s Marketing and Communications Manager. She’s passionate about helping parents navigate the digital world to keep kids safe online. When she’s not crafting insightful content, you might find her having meaningful conversations about life and building new friendships over a cozy coffee chat.