Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Bindel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Live video with major privacy issues, parent concerns.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
YouNow: Broadcast, Chat, and Watch Live Video
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 44 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say that the app is generally enjoyable for broadcasting and making friends, helping users boost their confidence despite some negative experiences with bans and inappropriate content. While many appreciate its interactive features, some feel frustrated with recent monetization changes and recommend caution for younger users.
- enjoyable experience
- boosts confidence
- bans concern
- increased monetization
- social media interaction
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
YOUNOW lets teens broadcast themselves live. They can see and respond to live chat or view other broadcasters and chat with them. Hashtags classify categories that viewers can search (#girls, #guys, #truthordare, #dance, #musicians, #sleepingsquad, #lgbt, etc.), and users can add broadcasters to favorites lists and receive notifications when they're broadcasting live. The number of viewers is shown, and broadcasters can start trending if they have lots of viewers. Teens can buy gold bars to use to send gifts to other broadcasters. Videos are only available live and can't be accessed after a few days (but another user could certainly use an external camera to film what's happening on screen); however, all user-generated content is retained and stored by the developers, so the content doesn't actually disappear.
Is It Any Good?
YouNow generates quite a bit of traffic -- teens showcase their musical talent, goof off, or just talk and respond to comments, which roll in continuously. Users do a pretty good job of keeping the rules in mind, though requests for phone numbers (which aren't allowed, per the user agreement) and profanity abound. Instead of observed iffy behavior, it's the potential for problematic content that might concern some parents. Some streams are a product of boredom -- there's a channel to watch people sleep -- and some showcase real talent; either way, there's definitely an interest in growing a fan base and getting more viewers, which may push some kids to do crazy things. It's also worth noting that many kids broadcast from their bedrooms, which may contain personally identifiable information. YouNow also reserves the right to reuse any content it wishes, so kids should know their posts could come back to haunt them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about privacy and the risks of broadcasting yourself to the world. What's fun about streaming video and getting live comments? What are the drawbacks? What would draw you to watching someone else's stream?
Review the app's rules together; discuss what's OK to share and what's not. Make sure teens understand that encouraging broadcasters to violate the rules can get them blocked, too.
Make sure kids understand that adults and teens both may be using the app and that it's up to them to protect their privacy. What's your kid's username? Where will he or she create posts? What kinds of comments warrant reporting?
Talk about general privacy and safety online, and check in with your kid about new content posted and viewed.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , Android
- Pricing structure : Free (Users can buy gold bars to be used to give emoji-style gifts to other broadcasters.)
- Release date : March 20, 2015
- Genre : Social Networking
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Publisher : BNOW Inc.
- Version : 8.3
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later; Android 4.0 and up
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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