1. House Party: a fun “virtual pub” easy to use and navigate. Free to use and free to download, this app can synch with facebook and twitter and instagram. It also lets you know who is online and allows you to be a full-blown social butterfly without ever leaving your sofa. Drop in and out of your mates’ group video chats whenever you fancy it - probably making some new virtual friends in the process. Easy to block or mute unwanted contact or more likely family members who have been on the sauce

https://houseparty.com

2. TikTok: It may have started as a GenZ app but lockdown has meant that TikTok has officially transcended from teenage users to the adult world. The world’s fastest-growing social media platform is being used by more than a billion of us now. The video-sharing app has various trending challenges to get involved with, which might seem weird when you first join but will soon suck you down a rabbit hole. I’m currently obsessed with the Tik Tok love story by Jeremy Cohen, How to Date a Quarantine Cutie https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremycohen/video/6807075946470837509?

3. Now that Netflix & Chill is off the cards for a while… It’s time to get on to Neflix Party. You can watch Netflix films and TV shows at the same time as one another, with the option to add a chat feature so you can express your outrage/shock/delight in real time. All you need to do is download the Google extension from Netflix Party – only one person in your party needs to do this, and they can share the link to watch the programme or film with anyone they like. https://www.netflixparty.com

4. Duo lingo is the free language learning app. Easy and fun to use, it is game based with points and lives lost for mistakes.Fiftenn languages are currently available, with more being cooked as I write. The app can be used anytime and learning packages are in fun bite sized chunks. https://www.duolingo.com

5. Audible is currently offering all their Stories free ... simply pick one and start listening. Audible also offers audio books at a cost. This app is a lifesaver. https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

6. Centr.com: Fancy a workout with Thor himself? The truly delectable Chris Hemsworth (pictured) is offering a six-week free workout with him. It’s like having the god of thunder as your own personal trainer ... offering advice on heathy food, including great nutrition tips as well interesting workouts and of course a half-naked Hemsworth helps. https://centr.com/join-us?fbclid=IwAR0x_

7. Disney + I absolutely had to finish on the biggie. This amazing app has dropped, allowing you tostream and/or download all the Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar movies. All the good stuff in one place and what’s more there is a seven -day free trial, for a measly £6 a month. Thank you Disney. A billion lockdown parents salute you. Works on the ipad, phone or smart TV. https://www.disneyplus.com/ en-gb/?fbclid=IwAR0J6TFbGrl34wL5NBk06pwOdNIZB7J2YP0OpmqkkhsOYwkDnPA1ScT66sk

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