Video Calls: Is It Safe When Someone Wants to Call You?

Video calls are a great way to see and talk to people you know — like grandparents, friends, or family who live far away. But not every video call request is a safe one. This guide helps you understand the difference, and what to do if something feels uncomfortable.

When Video Calls Are Safe

Video calls are usually safe when you are calling someone you know in real life — a family member, a close friend, or a classmate you see every day at school. It is also important that a grown-up in your house knows you are making the call. Safe video calls usually have been agreed in advance — for example, calling Grandma on a Sunday, or joining a school video lesson. If you are in a video call and a grown-up you trust is nearby, that is a good sign.

When to Be Careful

Be careful if someone you have only met online asks to video call you — especially if you have never met them in person. Someone you met in a game, a chat room, or through another person online is not the same as someone you know in real life. Even if they seem very nice, you do not really know who they are. A person asking to video call can also see your room, your home, and sometimes even things in the background that tell them where you live.

Things That Should Never Happen on a Video Call

No one should ever ask you to take your clothes off, show any private parts of your body, or do anything that feels embarrassing or weird on a video call. If anyone ever asks you to do any of those things, you must end the call straight away — close the app, close the laptop lid, or turn off the screen. Then tell a grown-up immediately. It does not matter if the person got cross or upset — ending the call was absolutely the right thing to do.

What to Do If Something Felt Wrong

If a video call felt strange — if someone said something odd, asked you to do something you did not want to do, or made you feel uncomfortable in any way — tell a grown-up you trust as soon as you can. Do not worry about getting in trouble. You have not done anything wrong. The grown-up needs to know so they can help. Childline can also help if you would rather talk to someone else — call them on 0800 1111 for free.