WeChat

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.

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.

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.

WeChat makes it easy to connect with people you don't know. You're able to search for 'people nearby', which shows you other users up to 5km away. You can also use the 'shake' feature which connects with random people across the globe.

We recommend exploring the following features with your child and setting them up together to make sure your child is as safe as possible when using WeChat:

Enable Friend Confirmation

You can set up Friend Confirmation in privacy settings. This means other users have to send a friend request to connect with you.

Change how people can add you

By default, other users will be able to add you if they have your WeChat ID or mobile number. You can turn this off in the 'Methods for Friending Me' section of the privacy settings.

You can also have a look at WeChat’s Help Centre if you have any specific questions.

Your child might see or receive something upsetting or negative on WeChat If this happens, they might want to know how to report or block.

WeChat has guidance on reporting, as well as how to block someone.

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