What Is Voxer and what parents should know about this app

Voxer is a messaging app that lets users send and receive voice messages in real-time, much like a traditional walkie-talkie. Along with voice messages, users can share text, photos, videos, and even their location. The app is available on both iOS and Android platforms and has a large user base that includes friends, families, and professionals who use it for team communication.

What sets Voxer apart is its simplicity and immediacy. Users can listen to messages in real-time or at a later time, making it convenient and engaging for kids who enjoy instant communication.

How Does Voxer Work?

Using Voxer is straightforward, which is part of its appeal. After downloading the app and creating an account, users can:

• Add Contacts: Through their phone's address book or by searching for usernames.
• Send Messages: Press and hold the "Talk" button to record voice messages or type out text messages.
• Share Multimedia: Send pictures, videos, and other files.
• Use Live Voice: Speak directly to contacts who are online and available.
• Create Groups: Set up group chats for friends or teams.
• Enable Location Sharing: Let others see where they are in real time.

Risks of Using Voxer. Is it safe for children?

Voxer is not suitable for children under the age of 13, and the company clearly states that minors should not use the app. It is not designed with children in mind and lacks specific safeguards for young users.

Due to its design and certain default settings, Voxer may expose children to safety and privacy concerns if not managed carefully. Here’s what you need to know:

• Strangers Adding Children. Voxer allows users to connect through usernames, email addresses, or shared links, making it easy for strangers to contact your child. Since profiles are public by default, strangers can access personal details such as your child's name, location, or phone number unless privacy settings are adjusted.
• Inappropriate Content. The app's multimedia-sharing capabilities allow users to send photos, videos, and messages, opening the door to children receiving or sharing inappropriate content. Voxer does not have built-in content monitoring, so parents should stay vigilant.
• Location Sharing Risks. By default, Voxer automatically shares users' real-time location when they sign up. This means others can see where your child is unless location sharing is manually turned off. This poses significant safety risks, as it can expose your child's whereabouts to strangers or unintended contacts.
• Cyberbullying. Voxer is often utilized in group chats, where interactions can occasionally turn toxic. Reports indicate that students use Voxer to cyberbully others by sending hurtful voice messages or excluding them from group conversations.
• Data Privacy Concerns. Voxer collects user data, including messages, photos, and location information, which could be vulnerable to breaches or misuse. Additionally, users can screenshot and share content from Voxer, even if the sender believed it was private.
• Addictive Usage. Voxer can make it difficult for children to step away from the app. Notifications and the real-time walkie-talkie feature can create a sense of urgency to respond, leading to excessive screen time and distractions from other responsibilities like schoolwork or family time.

Privacy and Security Settings in Voxer

Voxer provides several privacy and security settings that parents can use to create a safer experience for their children. Here's how you can adjust these settings:

1. Make Your Child's Profile Private

A private profile ensures that only approved contacts can see your child's details and activity.

How to:

• Open the Voxer app and log into your child's account.
• Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
• Go to Settings and look for the Privacy section.
• Enable the Private Profile toggle. This will make your child's profile visible only to their contacts.

2.      Block Unwanted Contacts

Blocking prevents someone from sending messages or viewing your child's profile.

How to:

• Open the chat with the person you want to block.
• Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of their profile.
• Select Block Contact and confirm.
• To unblock later, go to Settings, find the Blocked Contacts section, and remove the block.

3.      Disable Location Sharing

Turning off location sharing protects your child's real-time whereabouts.

How to:

• Open Voxer and go to Settings from the main menu.
• Scroll to the Location Sharing option.
• Toggle it off to prevent the app from sharing location details in messages.
• Alternatively, disable location sharing for specific chats by opening the chat, tapping the menu, and turning off Share Location.

4.      Customize Notifications

Managing notifications reduces distractions and avoids unnecessary alerts.

How to:

• Open Settings in the Voxer app.
• Tap Notifications and adjust the preferences:
  • Turn off notifications for group chats if they are too frequent.
  • Mute specific chats by opening the chat, tapping the menu, and selecting Mute Notifications.

5.      Limit Group Chat Participation

Joining unfamiliar groups increases the risk of inappropriate interactions.

How to:

• Go to the group chat in question.
• Tap the group name at the top of the screen to open group settings.
• Tap Leave Group to remove your child from the group.
• To prevent rejoining, remind your child only to join groups with friends or family members they know in real life.

How to Protect Your Children

Voxer has been linked to cyberbullying and inappropriate behavior among teens. By staying involved, regularly checking in, and educating your child about the app, you can help them use it responsibly—or decide it's not suitable for them at all.

Understand the App Yourself

Take the time to explore Voxer and familiarize yourself with its features. Knowing how the app works will allow you to guide your child, adjust privacy settings, and identify potential risks like location sharing or contact requests from strangers.

Set Up Privacy Settings Together and Monitor Contacts

Set up the privacy settings from above and regularly review your child's contact list to ensure they're only communicating with trusted individuals. If you notice any unfamiliar names or suspicious behavior, discuss it with your child and block unwanted users.

Review Multimedia Sharing

Ensure your child avoids sharing personal or sensitive information.

Discuss guidelines for sharing content, emphasizing that they should avoid sending photos, videos, or messages that reveal personal details (like home addresses or school names).

Have Open Conversations

Talk regularly with your child about the risks of sharing personal information, photos, or their location online. Remind them that anything shared on Voxer can be saved, screenshot, or forwarded to others—even if they think it's private.

Explain that the internet has a long memory and that "delete" often means "delete for now."

Establish Usage Limits

To prevent overuse, set clear rules about when and how long your child can use Voxer. Designate screen-free times for homework, family activities, and bedtime to ensure the app doesn't interfere with other responsibilities. Bitdefender Parental Control can help you monitor Voxer usage, block unknown contacts, and limit internet time. It provides an added layer of safety without requiring you to micromanage your child's online activity.

Stay Vigilant About Other Platforms

Many teens share their Voxer, Kik, or Ask.fm usernames on public profiles like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. Check your child's other social media accounts for mentions of their Voxer handle or links that could redirect strangers to their private messaging apps.

Related: What Parents Need to Know Before Letting Their Kids Use Kik

FAQs

Does Voxer show your phone number?

Voxer does not display your phone number to other users by default. However, if you include your phone number in your profile information or share it in messages, others can see it. To ensure your phone number remains private, avoid adding it to your profile and be cautious when sharing personal information.

How safe is Voxer?

Voxer can be safe if used with proper privacy settings and precautions. However, by default, profiles are public, and features like location sharing are enabled. These settings can expose users to risks such as unwanted contact or privacy breaches. To enhance safety, set your profile to private, disable location sharing, and ensure your child only connects with trusted contacts. While Voxer does not collect data from children under 13, its general privacy protections may not be robust enough for younger users.

Does Voxer save chat history?

Yes, Voxer saves chat history. Additionally, users can "star" specific messages to save them in a personal "Starred" chat. These starred messages remain in the chat until manually removed, allowing users to revisit them at any time. This feature is helpful for keeping important messages easily accessible, but it also means that sensitive information could persist if not deleted.

What is the difference between WhatsApp and Voxer?

While both WhatsApp and Voxer are communication tools, they serve different purposes:

• WhatsApp: Primarily a customer communication platform, WhatsApp allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, and manage customer interactions. It is widely used by businesses to share product catalogs and communicate with customers.
• Voxer: Designed as a walkie-talkie-style application, Voxer focuses on real-time voice messaging, text, and multimedia sharing for team communication. It's popular among businesses and teams that need instant communication and collaboration tools.