This app does not protect children from many of the harms they may experience on other messaging apps (such as receiving inappropriate or harmful content). However its unique difference is that unwanted contacts cannot message users. That’s because unlike many messaging apps, on Stars it is not possible for anyone to message you once your username or phone number is discovered. Instead, a user can invite friends to join Stars by sharing their private Stars username and Friend Code.
A phone number, SIM card or email address is not required to use the app. All groups on Stars are private and require both a group number and code to join and they do not sell user data to third parties. Under 13’s need adult approval (by email) to create an account on the app.
Stars does not offer a Parental Controls Tool that allows parents to manage how their child uses the app. However it has a paid-for monitoring tool called ‘Parent View’, which allows parents to see how their child uses it. If the child agrees, parents can use the Stars app to see who their child is friends with, which groups they are in, and receive notifications when their child adds friends, joins groups or makes calls. They can see a list of their child’s online activities and time spent on the app. Parents can see all of their child’s messages, photos, videos and links shared with other users. A user can block another user by deleting the contact and changing their friend code.
