App Guide

Hoop

Name: Hoop 

Owned By: Dazz

Category: Social Networking 

Operating System: IOS, Android

Available for download: Yes

Desktop version: No

Approximate release date: Unknown

Age Rating*:

Rated 12+ for the following:

  • Infrequent/mild sexual content and nudity
  • Infrequent/mild mature/suggestive themes
  • Infrequent/mild profanity or crude humor 

Brief Description*: Hoop is the best way to make new friends on Snapchat all around the world.

*Information from the App Store

  • Access to camera (device camera)

    Users can upload images with their device camera.

  • Connect with strangers (ability to)

    Users can add people on Snapchat from all across the world.

  • Cyberbullying opportunities

    Similar to other social networking apps, cyberbullying is plausible.

  • Business accounts

    Discord is not for businesses.

  • Keep username private

    Your Snapchat username is kept private. When another user asks you for it, you can accept or decline the request. They will not know if you decline the request.

  • Ability to send inappropriate images

    When users add “friends” on Snapchat, they could send inappropriate content.

  • Collects user’s information

    Identifiers and usage data is collected to track users. Additionally, the app may collect data that could be linked to your identity such as user content, identifiers, usage data, and diagnostics.

Reviewed By: Ryan

I have heard Hoop nicknamed “the Tinder for Snapchat.” It’s an app where you can easily connect with anyone in the world and add them on Snapchat. Hoop was brought to my attention by a 13-year-old student who said she uses it to make more Snapchat friends. I created a static account (no posts or interactions) to see what it was all about. While scrolling through Hoop, I got many notifications from people wanting to connect. Many of these accounts were fake and  trying to connect me with their paid premium services platform where they would sell nude pictures/videos. 

I was able to identify that these were fake accounts but your average middle school student may not be able to note the difference. It would be easy for them to fall for the tactics used. One account that wanted to “get my Snap” had a picture of their Instagram account and promoted sending nudes to anyone that directly messaged them on Instagram.

This video gives some visuals and discussion about Hoop. TechCrunch has an article you can read as well. Wink is a very similar app and functions just about the same as Hoop. Here is a list of 25 other apps that are similar to Hoop. With any piece of technology, you should have a technology contract in place before your kids use it.

My #1 recommendation is to not allow anyone under 18 years old to use this app.