App + Game Reviews

Bigo Live

Cyber Expert Reviewer:

Jordan Foster

Clinical Child Psychologist

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2020

Bigo Live is a video streaming app where user-generated videos are filmed and streamed to the public in real time. After signing up through an existing account like Facebook or Google, you can browse popular, new, or nearby users content. There are options to join in on live chat, share streams via social media and to send 'gifts' to streamers in the form of beans. Disturbingly, this app is very popular with children and pre-teens, but is wrought with adults commenting on kids videos with sexual comments and requests. In fact, the culture of this app is so crude that it is commonplace for users to carry out lewd requests made by their viewers in exchange for money. The more money you have the higher you rank on the community leader board. So this translates to young users posting videos that have been requested by strangers, and having the opportunity to receive virtual gifts in return.

Listen now

Rapid Expert Review

App Store Rating

Ages 18+

ySafe Recommendation

Ages 18+

Known Risks

Sexting & Hook-ups

3.5

Privacy & Security

3.5

Adult Content

4.5

Cyberbullying

2.5

Deception

0.5

Violence

1.5

Predators

Gambling

1.5

Costs

Screen-time

3.5

What parents need to know

Significant predatory risks

Predators can easily approach, groom and coerce children into giving out their private information through this platform. This app isn't particularly on the radar for many parents, making children vulnerable to perverse adults who comment niceties such as ‘you’re cute’ or ‘you’re sexy’.

Adult content

The unmoderated live nature of this app is dangerous to children, and adult content and use of illicit substances are a common theme throughout the broadcasts.

Cash incentives

The culture of this app is so crude that it is commonplace for users to carry out lewd requests made by their viewers in exchange for money. The more money you have the higher you rank on the community leader board.

What users need to know

Protecting your identity

Always ensure that your username doesn't include your first and last name, or your birthday. Other users can use that information to find you in other places, including in 'real-life'.

Think before you post

Remember, even the smallest details in the background of your videos can be risky. Make sure there are no street signs, or giveaways of your location in your posts.

How tos

How to turn off in-app purchases

Apple users

Open the Settings app.
Tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Switch the Content & Privacy Restrictions slider to on/green, if it isn't already.
Select iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Select In-App Purchases. ...
Tap Don't Allow to turn off in-app purchase

Android users

1. Open your Apps list and tap on the Play Store icon to open it.

2. Press the Menu button in the top-left corner of the Play Store, then scroll down and tap Settings.

3. Find and press require authentication for purchases to choose how long to wait before asking for your password again.

4. Finally, press the option to require authentication for all purchases through Google Play on this device. Now, you'll need to enter your password for every app or in-app purchase.