Video calls

The age limit for both Zoom and Microsoft Teams is 16+, as they are designed mostly for workplace environments. If you would like to use either of those services for a video call, it is advisable to set these up with an adult’s help. WhatsApp is also intended for those 16 & above, but we know that it is used by many young people. Most social media services, including Instagram and Snapchat, require you to be 13 years old and up to create an account.

Firstly, it’s a good idea only to call people that you know and trust and have already met face-to-face. Whilst you may feel that you can trust friends made solely online, they are still strangers, and it’s important to keep your personal information protected. If friends of yours want to invite people that you don’t know to join a call with you, don’t feel pressured to say yes – they are still a stranger to you and it is always OK to say no. If you receive a video call from an unknown number or email address, don’t answer it. If calls persist, you can always block the number.

Apps like Zoom use links and passwords, which will help to make sure that only people you know, are allowed on your call. If you are the host, you can usually create a waiting room which allows you to moderate who can join – even if they have the link. If you are using social media to host your video call, you can adjust the settings to control who can contact you.

Video calls can let someone else see into your home, so it is important to check your physical surroundings before starting a call. Make sure that you are happy for anything in your background to be visible on camera. Although you are most likely to be video calling someone you know, there may still be personal information visible in your home that you do not want to share, such as family photos etc.

If you are on a video call with someone and they begin to say or do anything that upsets you or makes you feel uncomfortable, it is okay to end the call immediately. If this happens again or continues, then you can block them to prevent further contact. If you are using an app or service such as Zoom or Instagram, it is also possible to report them. You should also tell a trusted adult what has happened. Telling a teacher is also a good idea if the other person goes to the same school as you.

You may want to take screenshots of entertaining moments from a video call. However, it’s important to have consent from everyone in the video call before taking it and / or sharing it. If you need to take, or share, screenshots from a video call with your teacher or classmates when learning from home, check first with your teacher because your school may have rules surrounding this.

Not everyone likes to be on camera and that’s okay. If you need to take part in a video call, for example for school, and you don’t feel comfortable appearing on camera then let your teacher know, and you can talk about it with them. Almost all video calling apps have an option that allows you to disable your camera, whilst still being able to speak.

It is never OK for someone to pressure you to do something on camera that you don’t feel comfortable with. Healthy relationships are not built on pressure, they are built on trust and respect for each other’s feelings. Remember, you are not at fault and that saying no is the right thing to do, for anything that you are uncomfortable with. You may also find it reassuring to block the person so they can’t contact you again. You should always speak to an adult that you know and trust for help, or contact a helpline e.g. Childline or The Mix. They will help you deal with the pressure, as well as offering support.