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app-icon-byte

byte

byte is a video sharing app that lets you shoot, upload and share 15 second videos. There’s a feed which shows you popular videos, an explore page and individual profile pages. Anybody can comment on your videos (and you on theirs) and all videos you share can be downloaded by other users – so it’s best to think before you share.

13+

Official age rating

Kids use this to...

Play

Create

Learn

Connect

Watch

Our safety ratings

Overall safety rating:

Our overall rating for byte

Poor

You can’t make your profile or the videos you share private. This means that if your child posts something, anyone on the app will be able to see it.

There are also different communities within the app called channels. When you follow a channel you will see the other user’s new content on your Home Feed. There is no way to control what channels a child can follow, meaning that it could be easy for them to come across videos that might not be suitable. byte also states in its Community Standards that it allows non-sexual nudity.

We wouldn’t recommend this app is used by kids under the age of 18.

Safety features

To register for a byte account you can only sign in via a Google or Apple account. You’re then asked to create a username that is visible to other users.

There are no parental controls or safety features available on the app. You should be aware that all content on byte is public.

Privacy & location

There are no privacy controls available on byte and there is no way to make an account private. This means that anything you post on byte can be seen and commented on by other users. All videos you post can be downloaded by other users and shared across other social media sites or posted elsewhere online.

Your username and profile picture can both be seen by other users. We would always recommend helping your child create a non-identifiable username and choose an appropriate image for their bio.

As all content posted on byte is public, it’s important to talk to them about what they’re sharing and remind them to never share personal information with anyone.

byte doesn’t share your location.

Reporting & blocking

The reporting and blocking features on byte are easy to find and to use. You should also check out byte’s Community Guidelines for more information on what behaviour is and isn’t acceptable on the platform.

Content

We didn’t come across any inappropriate content while exploring the app. However, there is no information about whether byte use any moderating tools to stop inappropriate content from being posted. This means it’s easier to come across content that might not be suitable for children or that will upset them.

The Community Guidelines also state that non-sexual nudity is allowed.

O2 Guru top tip

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Keep your username anonymous

When signing up, pick a username that keeps your identity private.

Guru image for videos

Top tips for staying safe

There’s no way to make videos on byte private, meaning if your child posts something it might be seen by someone they don’t know.

We don’t think this app appropriate for under 18s because it means children could be at a higher risk of being sent something inappropriate or talking to someone they don’t know.

Take your child through Childline’s staying safe online page so you can talk about the risks and how to stay safe.

It’s important to remember that risks online can come from people you know as well as people you don’t but this feature doesn’t seem safe.

Explore our Net Aware reviews to help find an app, site or game that might be more suitable for your child. Here are some things you might want to look out for:

• Age ratings
• Parental controls
• Chat features

Help your child think about what they share online and who sees it. Compare it to what they would be happy to share offline.

Use examples that are easy for them to understand: “You shouldn't give your number to somebody you don't know on the street. Is somebody online you don't know any different?”

Listen to their answers. And be positive and encouraging.

Remind them that they shouldn’t share private things, such as:

  • personal information, like names, emails, phone numbers, location and school names
  • other people's personal information
  • links to join private group chats
  • photos of themselves
  • photos of their body, such as sexual photos or videos.

Your child might come across something upsetting or negative on byte. If this happens, they might want to report content or block another user. 

To report or block another user in byte, you can go to their profile and select ‘report or block’. Follow byte’s guidance on how to report and block.

You can ‘flag’ posts by selecting the arrow icon under the video. It will then give you four options for by your flagging it. Follow byte’s guidance on how to flag a post.

And remember to let your child know that they can always talk to you about worrying things they see online.

Explain that you understand the internet is a great place to play, create, learn and connect. But remind them they can talk to you if anything upsets or worries them.

Reassure them that you won’t overreact – you’re just looking out for them.

It’s important to remind your child that they can talk you, another adult they trust, like a teacher, or Childline about anything they see online.

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Talking to your child

Having open, regular conversations with your child will help you to really understand and explore the online world together. Our tips and advice can help you start these conversations.

Talk about staying safe online

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