Google Meet is a video meeting app that lets you send written messages and share your screen. It’s designed for businesses but can also be used for personal use. The free version lets you chat with up to 100 people.
Official age rating
Remind your child not to share chat links in public, like on social media.
Sitting down with your child and exploring their favourite app or game is a great way for you to learn more about what they like to do online.
You can ask them why they like to use an app or play certain games, as well as who they’re talking to and what sorts of things they’re sharing.
You can also read our Net Aware reviews for tips on how to keep kids safe on popular apps, sites and games.
Your child might see something upsetting or receive negative messages from other people on Meet. If this happens, they might want to use the ‘report abuse’ button.
You can report something on Google Meet by using the control panel at the bottom of the screen and selecting ‘More options > Report abuse’.
Take the time to explore the report feature with your child, discussing when and why they might want to use it.
And remember to let your child know that they can always talk to you about anything they see online.
If your child is the host of a chat they’ll be able to mute, pin or remove people from chats.
Explore these features with your child and talk to them about when they might want to use them.
Remind them to not misuse these tools when they’re chatting with their friends because they’re to keep chats safe and friendly.
Remind your child not to share chat links in public, such as on social media. It’s best to keep chats between people your child knows.
If your child is hosting a chat, they can use the deny feature to stop people entering chats they don’t know.
If somebody enters a chat your child doesn’t know, show them how to exit the chat and let them know they should tell you about it.
Google Meet has helpful information on how it keeps people safe. Some of the information on this page is quite technical but we recommend reading the safety measures and safety best practices sections.
We also think it’s useful to talk through the safety best practices with your child.
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:
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.
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.
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