We asked parents whether they were asked to verify their phone number or email address to sign up to this site. We also asked them how easy or difficult it would be for a child to pretend to be older to sign up. 

Parents say:

• “I am a parent and found it too easy to register - which made me concerned that a child could register using a false date of birth.” - Father of boys aged 8, 10 and 13
  
• “With an existing Gmail account it was easy. The Gmail account seems basically to vouch for your identity alone.” - Father of a 13yr old boy

We asked parents how easy it was to find out how to report unsuitable content, to find out if the site is moderated, to block other users and to hide or report an unwanted message or picture.

Parents say:

• “How to go about reporting unwanted messages etc. isn't always clear.” - Father of an 18yr old girl
  
• “It doesn't seem to be moderated in any way and is difficult for a child to report an abusive message.” - Father of an 8yr old girl
  
• “I've looked for the reporting function and I can't see how to do this.” - Mother of a 14yr old girl
  
• “I’m not sure how to delete people or block people or even add people as everyone seems to be automatically added that I’ve ever emailed.” - Mother of children aged 5, 6 and 12
  

Young people say:

• 29% of young people who reviewed Google Hangouts said they know how to report on this site. 
  
• 53% said they know how to block someone. 
  

More information: 

Visit the reporting page here and read about blocking here.

We asked parents how easy it was to find information about privacy and to change the settings to ensure the account is private.  

Parents say:

• “It seems too easy for people who I’ve emailed to contact me in this way without requesting to do so first. I think a child might just respond to messages without thinking if they wanted to talk to people they didn’t know.” - Mother of children aged 5, 6 and 12
  

Young people say:

• 65% of young people who reviewed Google Hangouts said they know how to change their privacy settings on this site. 
  
• 59% said they know how to turn off their location settings. 
  

More information: 

Visit the Google Hangouts privacy page here.

We asked parents how easy it was to find out whether this site has rules or community standards, to find safety information for children and parents, and to find links to support services.

Parents say:

• “I didn't find any information about safety. If it exists on the site it isn't well displayed.” - Father of an 18yr old girl
• “In the app, there are no obvious safety features or info pages.” - Father of four children

More information:

Look at Google Hangouts safety page here.