Parents' Guide to
Uptime - Watch videos together
Common Sense Media Review
By Christy Matte
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Co-viewing video idea falls short, lacks controls.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Uptime - Watch videos together
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
UPTIME - WATCH VIDEOS TOGETHER is a social platform where users can search for, share, and watch their favorite YouTube videos at the same time as others, adding their own comments and emoticons to the viewing experience. Each viewer is represented by a circle avatar that moves along a progress path around the edges of the video, similar to what you'd see on the bottom of the screen when normally watching a YouTube video. As others start watching, their avatars start the journey, too. While viewing, users can make comments, post emoticons, or swipe their fingers on the video to create a sparkle trail. As of this writing, there's no way to watch a video with specific people. Kids can follow other users and keep an eye on what they're sharing.
Is It Any Good?
While joint video viewing from afar sounds like a cool idea, the result feels like more of a "Why?" than a "Wow!" Uptime - Watch videos together is founded on the appealing idea of having a shared video-watching experience with your kids or your BFF or whoever you're missing at the moment, but it isn't really that. Instead, it's a sort of open, free-for-all viewing party without many people attending. You can't invite anyone specific to join you from within the app, so you'll have to send them a regular old text to get their attention. Worse, anyone else can join you while you're watching a video, and they can comment however they'd like. You can report poor behavior, but only if you can catch it before the perpetrator is off to find another viewing partner. And if you meet someone you want to get to know more, there's no way to communicate with them outside the shared video experience. While some people might enjoy this unique way of momentarily connecting with strangers, it isn't going to meet the needs of families who want to connect from afar. Paired with a clumsy interface, most families will want to pass on this one for now.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about making safe choices online, especially when it comes to sharing. A technology use agreement can help the whole family stay on the same page and set expectations.
What makes a good digital citizen? In addition to being thoughtful about your own personal information, how can you create a positive environment for others you come in contact with?
How do you like this app as compared with other apps you could use? If you had or have limited screen time, would you use this app over other apps on your device? Why, or why not?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: March 16, 2017
- Category: Social Networking
- Publisher: Area 120
- Version: 1.1
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 10.0 or later
- Last updated: April 7, 2017
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