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Keeping your kids out of monkey business is hard enough without an app that connects them to strangers online. But is the Monkey app safe? Kids love its spontaneity, but they may encounter sketchy people. Learn how Monkey works and how to stay safer on Monkey, then get a security app to help protect your devices and loved ones online.
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Monkey is an app designed for socializing and making friends online. It connects two strangers in a video chat lasting only 15 seconds, unless both people choose to continue. While primarily random, there’s an algorithm that matches people, and users can add others as friends to continue chatting in a later session.
Many find the spontaneous interactions fun and thrilling, allowing them to break the ice quickly and find people they vibe with. However, it isn’t always about making friends. Some users want to hook up for something a little more flirty, dirty, or serious.
Though Monkey officially requires users to be 18 years old, there’s no age verification or ID required, so anyone can find their way onto the app — no matter their age or intention. Two teenagers designed the app, and many argue it’s marketed toward teens and younger people.
A screenshot showing what it looks like to connect to the Monkey app.
The Monkey app was removed from the Apple App Store a few years ago, without any official statement from Apple. However, many presume it was out of concern for the safety of teens and minors. A few months prior, The Washington Post reported that 2% of iOS reviews for Monkey contained accounts of unwanted sexual experiences, which may or may not have informed Apple’s decision. The app remains available on the Google Play Store.
The app is free to download and use, with optional paid subscriptions offering additional features. In the free version, users can connect randomly via video chat for 15 seconds, though they cannot extend the call. It also provides access to “Moments,” a feature where users can post short videos and explore content shared by others.
With a paid subscription, you get additional features, including:
Knock-knock: Connects you with a random person via text messaging instead of video chat.
Duo or Group: Lets you join a friend or group while doing random video chats, so you’re not going it alone.
Filters: Refine who you’re matched with based on age range, or if you’d prefer to match with girls, boys, or someone in the LGBTQ community.
A screenshot of some paid features on the Monkey app.
Monkey frequently appears on lists highlighting the most dangerous apps for kids. It’s possible to get scammed, cyberbullied, or even sexually harassed on Monkey. Scammers may try to get information from users to commit fraud or sextort them. Users might also encounter experiences or content that’s sexually explicit, distressing, or just inappropriate for their age.
But there are some positive safety and privacy aspects to Monkey. Regarding information privacy, Monkey doesn’t display a user’s phone number, and you don’t have to display your full name. It’s safe in that regard.
There’s also a 24/7 moderation team that reviews reports made by users. However, if a user reports something, it means they’ve already encountered something unpleasant. It’s impossible to guarantee what and who your child will stumble upon. Without age verification or the need to display a real name, individuals with harmful intentions can easily roam free.
Scammers, or worse, may prey on more vulnerable users to steal their information using social engineering tactics. If your child shares details like their name, phone number, or Facebook details with someone, they could then try to scam or exploit them.
To keep your children safe online, including on Monkey, speak to them about the risks and set some ground rules. If you don’t want them using Monkey, you might want to monitor your kids online, check their devices for decoy apps, and learn how to find hidden Android apps.
You can also set parental controls on Android to block the Monkey app or limit how much time your kid spends on it. To help keep your kid safer online in general, there are dedicated services to help manage your child’s digital life, like Avast Family Protection. It’s a suite of tools that come together in one user-friendly app (available on Android and iPhone).
Keeping kids safe online means discussing internet safety ahead of time. While Monkey doesn’t expose much information about users, your child could be tricked into revealing personal details. Explain why this can be dangerous and could lead to scams and other threats.
Tell them not to share their social media or messaging app contact details either, including TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Snapchat.
Scams are an inevitable part of life, and your kid could stumble across one on Monkey or elsewhere. Educate your child about the most common scams to look out for, like phishing attacks. And for extra security, download an AI-powered scam detector tool to help catch scams hiding in fake messages and websites.
Always have one of the best antivirus software programs on all your devices. It will help keep malware off, even if your kid accidentally clicks something they shouldn’t. Good cybersecurity apps will also help block fake websites that could be hiding malware and warn you about phishing links in dangerous emails.
You can’t watch your kid every second they’re online or using Monkey, but Avast Free Antivirus can help. Avast’s award-winning threat-detection engine runs quietly in the background to help you identify and block malware, scams, and dangerous links before they infect your device.
The Monkey app is used for spontaneous and straight-to-the-point socializing, mostly with strangers. It’s known for its brief 15-second video chats, which can be between two individuals or more.
Deleting your Monkey account is similar to deleting Snapchat or deleting your BeReal account. In the Android Monkey app, go to Settings > About Monkey > Delete Account > Delete My Account. Follow the on-screen instructions, then your account will be scheduled for deletion in 30 days. If you log back in within this period, your account won’t be deleted.
To cancel your Monkey app subscription, click Monkey Plus on your homepage, then click Cancel renewal. Your subscription will expire at the end of the current billing cycle.
Monkey is operated by Oviedo Interactives Limited.
