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Parents Guide to Habbo!
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What is Habbo Hotel?
It's a virtual hotel, where teenagers can hang out and chat. Each person in the hotel is represented by a personalised figure called a Habbo. It's a bit like a computer game, but the characters are all real people in different places.
Who's it for?
It's aimed at 14 to 20 year olds from the UK, but anybody can register.
Does it cost anything to go to Habbo Hotel?
It is free to register and check into the hotel - there are many Habbos who enjoy the service for free. We only charge for 'extras' like gaming elements (diving in the swimming pools), text messaging from the Console and room furnishings (referred to as 'furni' by most Habbos).
These items are paid for with Habbo Credits, the hotel's currency. Credits can be bought in a variety of secure ways, such as by mobile phone text message, cheque or money (postal) order, from a home phone*, and by Splash Plastic (a teen pre-pay card).
*We do NOT operate automatic 'diallers' - the only way a charge can appear on your telephone bill is if someone in your house has picked up your phone and dialled our Habbo Credits Line number (09056575575). We always tell our members to ask bill payer's permission before using any of our payment methods. If you would like further details on these methods, including how to block access to them, please contact us.
Is it a safe place for my child?
Habbo Hotel is patrolled 24 hours a day by volunteer moderators called Hobbas. Hobbas can be recognised by their badges. Hobbas can alert, kick and ban Habbos who break the rules. Hobbas can be asked for help from any room in the hotel through the blue question mark.
Hobbas are backed up for 20 hours per day by paid members of Habbo Ltd staff between the hours of 9am and 5am. These staff members are trained moderators and all are police vetted. If you'd like to help out as a volunteer moderator, please apply here or email us (choose 'I'm a parent').
Every conversation in the hotel passes through the Bobba Filter before it appears on the screen. This filters out swearing, racist and sexist terms and other words unsuitable for children. The filter also covers Habbo names and missions, and room names and descriptions. The filters are updated on a daily basis and contain many hundreds of words and terms.
In addition to these measures we also work hard to educate our members about being safe in the hotel and online in general. Along with our prominent safety information, we produce a weekly safety newsletter, HabboHood Watch and display safety messages while Habbos are moving from room to room.
Are my child's personal details safe with Habbo Hotel?
We have a strict Privacy Policy and will not share your child's details with anyone, be they fellow Habbos or companies other than Habbo Ltd. In addition, all Habbo Ltd staff members have been police vetted to work with children.
Why do you ask for my child's email address and mobile phone number?
One of the reasons we ask for email addresses is so that we can send password reminders. Habbos can choose whether they want to receive emails from us (such as the hotel newsletters).
We also ask for email addresses (and mobile phone numbers) so that your child can use the Habbo Console effectively. The Console lets them send instant messages to other Habbos in the hotel and email and text messages to Habbos who aren't online. We designed this tool specifically to stop them giving out their personal details - when emails and text messages are sent from the Console, email addresses or phone numbers are not revealed to either party. In addition, only people they have chosen to be on their Friends List can contact them in this way and it is very easy to remove someone from this list if needs be.
Can my child's Habbo Credits or 'furni' be stolen?
Not if your child keeps their password secret. Someone else needs to know their password to check into the hotel as them and take their 'furni' or spend their Credits. Unfortunately, children are very trusting and can be taken in by scammers. To counteract this we developed Scam Busters, which provides information and advice on how to keep Habbo accounts secure.
How can I get further information about Habbo Hotel?
This guide only provides a simple outline of the hotel - more detailed information can be found in our FAQs. If you have a specific question please use our Contact Us form to email us - choose 'I'm a parent' from the drop down menu.
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