Social platform · Medium risk
Is Skype safe for your child?
Age guide
13+
We advise Skype from age 13 and up. Overall risk 4/10 (medium risk).
- 5-8
- Skype is generally not suitable for this age group due to the complexities of managing contacts and online interactions.
- 9-12
- Children in this range might use Skype for video calls with close family members, but all contacts should be pre-approved and monitored by a parent.
- 13-15
- Teenagers can use Skype for group video calls with friends or for school projects, but should be taught about appropriate online conduct and privacy settings for their profile.
- 16+
- Young adults can use Skype for personal and professional communication, leveraging its features like screen sharing and international calling, while understanding best practices for digital security.
Skype is a communication platform that allows users to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files. It is widely used for personal and professional communication, enabling users to connect with friends, family, and colleagues across the globe. While it offers a convenient way to stay in touch, it also presents certain risks, particularly for younger users who may encounter inappropriate content or interactions.
- Age guide
- 13+
- Overall risk
- 4/10
- Violence
- 1/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 3/10
- Stranger contact
- 6/10
- Addiction risk
- 5/10
- Language
- 2/10
- Influence
- 4/10
What parents should know
Skype is a communication platform offering video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging, primarily used for connecting with known contacts. Parents should focus on managing their child's contact list and teaching them about online etiquette and privacy. Configuring the privacy settings to limit discoverability and contact from strangers is a key step for safety.
What to do about Skype
Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.
- The age-by-age verdict
What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for Skype is 13+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact Skype setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about Skype without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in Skype that mean it is time to step in.
Skype age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is Skype?
Parentwise puts Skype at 13+. We advise Skype from age 13 and up. Overall risk 4/10 (medium risk). Violence scores 1/10, language 2/10, stranger contact 6/10 and addiction risk 5/10.
Can a 10 year old use Skype?
Not by default: we advise Skype from 13+, so at 10 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this range might use Skype for video calls with close family members, but all contacts should be pre-approved and monitored by a parent.
Can a 12 year old use Skype?
Not by default: we advise Skype from 13+, so at 12 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this range might use Skype for video calls with close family members, but all contacts should be pre-approved and monitored by a parent.
Can a 13 year old use Skype?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for Skype (13+). Teenagers can use Skype for group video calls with friends or for school projects, but should be taught about appropriate online conduct and privacy settings for their profile.
Is Skype appropriate for kids?
Skype is a communication platform offering video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging, primarily used for connecting with known contacts. Parentwise rates Skype overall as medium risk (4/10), with stranger contact at 6/10 and addiction risk at 5/10.
Is Skype family friendly?
Skype sits in the middle: fine with settings changed and an occasional check-in. Parents should focus on managing their child's contact list and teaching them about online etiquette and privacy.
Skype parents guide: what should a parent know first?
Skype is a communication platform offering video calls, voice calls, and instant messaging, primarily used for connecting with known contacts. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (6/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (5/10).
Is Skype safe for kids?
We advise Skype from age 13 and up. Overall risk 4/10 (medium risk). Parents should focus on managing their child's contact list and teaching them about online etiquette and privacy.
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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.