Learn more: https://smartsocial.com/google-hangouts-students-safe/
What are Google Hangouts?
–Google Hangouts is a messaging platform that is tied to your Gmail address
–Message friends, start free video or voice calls, and start a conversation with one person or a group
–Hangouts also allows users to send photos, stickers, and emojis
–Users can easily share their current location to any conversation with Google Maps integration
–Turn any conversation into a free group video call with up to 10 other users
–With Hangouts, users can call any phone number in the world
–All calls to other Hangouts users are free
–Users can also connect their Google Voice account for phone number, SMS, and voicemail integration
–Google Hangouts works on desktops, Apple, and Android devices
–Users can message their friends anytime, even if they’re offline
Why should parents care?
–Some parents have found predators targeting their kids through Google Hangouts to try and entice them into partaking in video calls or sending photos of themselves
–It’s easy for children to pretend to be older and for adults to pretend to be younger on Hangouts
–Google Hangouts can be used to cyberbully students
–With many of our Green and Gray Zone apps, Google Hangouts can be used positively if parents set guidelines from the beginning and monitor their child’s activity
Google Hangouts in the news:
“Police are putting out a warning after they said a man try to lure a teen into a relationship in [Google Hangouts].” –WSB-TV
“My classmates and I utilized technology like Google Hangouts to successfully collaborate and communicate. Because of this, I can lead and work more effectively with different teams, generations and backgrounds. That’s something I can apply to GE.” –Penn State News
Learn what to do if your child has Google Hangouts:
https://smartsocial.com/google-hangouts-students-safe/
Join Parent University to train your whole family: https://smartsocial.com/parent-university/
Join our next parent safety webinar: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/#start
Join our next free Digital Citizenship Webinar for Educators: https://smartsocial.com/educator-webinar/#start
Join our next college prep webinar for parents: https://smartsocial.com/social-media-bootcamp/#start
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