It is very popular with young people, it is the app of the moment, especially now in times of coronavirus and forced isolation. You meet up with your friends, maximum of 8, and can go from room to room.

Downloads boom in recent months. While parents use different platforms like Skype, Zoom or Hangout for online dating or conversations with relatives at the time of coronavirus, the youngest (under 25) finds them at HouseParty. Launched in May 2016, HouseParty is a live streaming app that gives you the opportunity for online group meetings.

Shortly after launch it accounted for just over 1 million downloads from the App Store. Growth has continued steadily, and in recent weeks, due to staying home to avoid the spread of coronavirus, is seeing another climax. To create an idea, in early 2019 it was downloaded about 25 million times on the iOS and Android operating system, in 40 percent of cases outside the US (provided by Sensor Tower).

How HouseParty works

The app can be downloaded on iOS, Android and MacOS, and by extension, now also in Chrome and is a live group chat. You sign up, even with the phone number, invite friends and then use is very simple and instant: create a "room" where you can invite up to 8 friends. Video quality is very high, you can even exchange emoticons, or just chat (chat) and join your friends room anytime.

Why is it so popular among young people

Very simple and intuitive interface, video quality and simplicity in use (just like switching from room to room for example) are among the main reasons underlying the success of HouseParty. Compared to other apps of this type, what attracts most young people is the fact that it's not just about calling a contact directly, but you have the option of choosing to enter a friend's room directly (even without being invited , to be understood correctly�). "I think HouseParty is attracting more and more young people just for the features it has. In recent weeks there has been an increase in the number of livestream on Instagram, �commented Davide Dal Maso, social media coach.

Virtual space for gaming too

Earlier last year, HouseParty was acquired by Epic Games, which created the video game Fortnite, for a figure that has not been made public. For a while, the app had dedicated on-line gaming space, with party-like features, with the ability to share screen and integrated games. Playing on Fortnite and talking to other gaming buddies has become possible. This has been one of the primary functions of the application in the last year, until the coronavirus spread and, consequently, forced stay home. Inside videochat you can also make small games, some for free, others for free.

Parents should keep it under control

As an app currently in use by young people, a little more control is needed. â??If the chat room is left open, anyone can be added. It is advisable to have a chat room where privacy functions apply in the case of children and young people. Be careful with videos and what you share with others, as with all virtual communications, since in the HouseParty app, the chronology of conversations is not stored, so there is no possibility of a "check" in a second moment as is the case with Whatsapp for example.

Source: Il Sole 24 Hours