Is the Wizz App Safe? A Wizz App Review for Parents

Harmful Content 😲

Wizz tries to encourage a positive environment and claims anyone violating their guidelines will be banned. But unfortunately, harmful content can easily be found anyway. Users can expect content including profanity, sexual content, violence, drug/substance content, and much more to present either on others’ profiles or in chat conversations. Here are a couple of examples: While the app isn’t marketed as a dating app, it seems many are using it that way anyways since it’s so reminiscent of one. This means some people’s profile pics are overtly sexual and inappropriate, and chat conversations could quickly become sexting. And regarding drug content, it’s not uncommon to see profiles of users smoking and hinting towards it with emojis like “🌿🔌” (meaning weed plug). 

Predation 🚨

Now let’s spend a moment discussing the age gate on Wizz. When you download Wizz, it asks for your age with a notice that says only 13+ people can use the app. Then, Wizz will verify your age by scanning your face with AI technology to be sure you look like the age you’ve given. According to Wizz’s privacy policy, this allows users to be put into “clusters” and be matched with “people having appropriate age.” In other words, minors and adults won’t be able to chat with each other. Which actually sounds pretty good, right? Well, there are still some problems. 

Age verification is certainly a step in the right direction and it’s more than we can say for countless other apps. However, using an AI to scan faces is not foolproof — or better yet, childproof — by any stretch of the imagination. There are just too many variables. What if a child looks older than their age? What if an adult looks younger than their age? What’s stopping either from tricking the AI by putting another face in front of the camera to scan? Can the AI detect if it’s scanning an actual face or a picture of a face? So while we commend the attempt at verification, we cannot recommend that parents fully rely on this feature to protect their kids. 

So needless to say, the risk of predation is huge. The whole point of Wizz is chatting with strangers — and with no guarantee of accurate age verification — catfishing, grooming, and eventual online sexual abuse are all a possibility. 

Privacy 🔒

To make an account on Wizz, you have to sign in with either a Google account or an Apple account. You have to make a username and upload a picture. Most concerning is the default setting which shows your location on your profile, though this can be turned off in settings. Additionally, Wizz’s privacy policy notes what information is collected, stored, or shared. 

Parental Controls ✅

Wizz does not have any parental controls, but Bark can fill in the gaps! 

With Bark, you can:

• Block Wizz entirely if needed. 
• Manage when your child can use Wizz throughout the day. 
• Receive an alert if your child tries to download it. 

So, should my kid download it?

Bark does not recommend parents let their children use Wizz. The app has too many dangers involving harmful content and predation.