National Online Safety - What Parents and Carers Need to Know About NGL

NGL - What you Need to Know

National Online Safety has released a new guide for parents and carers. This week’s content includes advice for parents and carers about an anonymous messaging app called NGL.

NGL (‘Not Gonna Lie‘) is an app that links to a user’s Instagram and/or Twitter and invites followers to give anonymous feedback. The app includes pre-written questions, but also offers users the option to ask anything. Responses are sent to the NGL inbox with senders remaining anonymous.

This comes with quite a few risks. The anonymity gives rise to the ‘online disinhibition effect’ - meaning that users might accidentally overshare information because they believe it is safe to do so. The anonymity also allows protection for bullies and according to National Online Safety’s expert, the support functions to tackle this are lacking.

The full guide offers advice and tips for talking to children about sending and receiving negative comments online, as well as the illusion of anonymity.

Click below to read the full guide. Don’t forget if you make a free account with National Online Safety you can access courses and resources for parents and carers.