Netflix Party – what is it and is it safe for kids to watch?

Netflix Party is a Chrome addon that promises to provide "a new way to watch Netflix with your friends online." Long the extension has been around for a while, it has recently gained a lot of traction as people have gotten increasingly cut off. Netflix Party allows you to sync your viewing with other people and includes a 'group chat' function so you can all remark on what you're seeing as theaters, pubs, and restaurants close their doors.

What is the mechanism behind it?

It's a Google Chrome extension, a small software tool that customizes your surfing experience - in this case, allowing you to watch your favorite show on desktop computers and laptops with your friends and family.

To get it, either create or login to your Google account, then go to the Netflix Party website and click 'Install Netflix Party' in the top right-hand corner, or search for it in the Chrome Web Store.

Log in to your Netflix account and click on the show or film you wish to watch after you've added Netflix Watch Party to your Chrome browser.

In the top right-hand corner of your browser, click the NP logo. A drop-down menu will appear.

When you click 'Start the party,' you'll be given a shareable URL that you can send to your party guests.

Is it any good?

The plugin is simple to install and use, so even non-tech-savvy family members can benefit from it. It allows you to enjoy excellent episodes and movies with others even when you're not together.

On the downside, the user interface, particularly the chat function, is limited to one user at a time, so if you're all viewing on the same device, you'll only be able to remark on one person at a time. You can, however, have numerous members of the same family signed in to the same account but on various devices — you don't need to create separate accounts for each of them.

Is it suitable for children?

Depending on the version of Chrome a youngster is using, he or she will be able to install Netflix Party. Because the Child version, which can be accessed through Google's Family Link service, does not support extensions, Netflix Party will be unavailable to those who use it. There's nothing stopping a child from installing it if they're using Chrome's regular version.

Although the access link for a Netflix Party must be emailed to you, anyone with the link can copy and distribute it. Because the plugin also works on Netflix's kid-friendly version of the site, a child might possibly utilise the chat feature to communicate with others who have gotten access to the viewing event without their parents' consent.