Parents' Guide to

Funimate - Be Music Video Star

By Neilie Johnson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Smart video editor makes creativity fun and easy, has risks.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free to try Photo & Video
Funimate - Be Music Video Star Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Funimate: Be Music Video Star App - Screenshot 1
  • Funimate: Be Music Video Star App - Screenshot 2
  • Funimate: Be Music Video Star App - Screenshot 3
  • Funimate: Be Music Video Star App - Screenshot 4
  • Funimate: Be Music Video Star App - Screenshot 5

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Joejoep
Joejoep Adult
August 30, 2021
age 15+

Not for younger kids

My 11 daughter had been hiding in her room and kept closing the door. It turns out some "15" year old boy had been messaging her telling her he wanted to do things to her because he'd seen her videos. I really think this app should avoided. Also it helps kids become self obsessed like tiktok.
Gethisaccountverified69
Gethisaccountverified69 Adult
April 20, 2020
age 9+

It’s great for kids

This is really safe for kids they are things for kids to look forward to like getting featured with is getting on the like for you page and it’s great it is nice to have kids using it and showing there creativity and publishing there creations to the apps friendly users , it should be from ages 9 -14
See all 3 parent reviews

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.
  • Unclear whether data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • Unclear whether this product uses a user's information to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What’s It About?

FUNIMATE: BE MUSIC VIDEO STAR is a video editing and livestreaming app favored by TikTok users. After a free seven-day trial, the app charges $6.99/month for a suite of video and audio tools that let users create short videos and embellish them with music, text, effects, filters, and shapes. A library of tutorials gets users up and running, and the developer holds themed contests where users can submit videos to win prizes like cameras and lights. Users can like and comment on each other's videos and can follow one another. In addition to posting and sharing videos, users can use the app to livestream and can play simple mini-games with their viewers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (4 ):

This video editor has lots of features and some privacy options, but there's still plenty of mature content and risks for younger teens. In terms of its quality as a video editor, Funimate: Be Music Video Star offers a wide range of color filters, text, shapes, and particle effects and even lets you create and animate your own stickers from any picture you take. Even better, the app's press-and-hold controls are simple and intuitive. Granted, its audio library is limited to songs by indie artists and complete unknowns, but you can use any audio file stored on your phone. If you're feeling uninspired, themed contests offer creative ideas, and if you're feeling shy or disinclined to share your creations with the larger public, you can save them to your phone or use the privacy settings so only your closest friends have access to them. All that said, there's still plenty to worry about when it comes to your kids interacting with strangers, enduring bad online behavior, and viewing or participating in iffy content. Like other performance-based apps, it's a mixed bag: It allows kids to be creative and have fun, but there's definitely a dark side as well. Still, most videos made with Funimate: Be Music Video Star seem focused on helping users share their talents with the world -- but use with caution.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about online criticism in Funimate - Be Music Video Star and other apps. What can you do about negative comments? How should you respond, if at all?

  • Discuss performing online. What are the pros and cons? Are there any risks? How can you do it safely?

  • Think social media and self esteem. Are "likes" important? How do you measure the worth of something or someone outside of social media?

  • Talk about mature content. What music is it okay to use for performing? What are the risks to trying to appear or act older than you are?

App Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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