Please see below a copy of this week’s National Online Safety Guide to parents. The focus this week is an app called ‘Wink’, which has raised a number of concerns.

Wink is a messaging app which allows children to connect and communicate with other users. In a similar style to the popular online dating platform Tinder, Wink uses the ‘swipe’ method for browsing profiles and accepting or declining them. Once two users have accepted each other by swiping on each other’s profile, they can then communicate and play games online together. The fact that Wink allows children to share photos, personal information and their location with other users has caused significant concern.

In the guide below, you’ll find tips on a number of potential risks such as grooming, cyberbullying and inappropriate content.