Parental Controls on Social Media

Welcome to our weekly newsletter! This week, we will be discussing the important topic of parental controls on social media. In our blog post, we explore various ways parents can monitor and manage their children's online activity to ensure their safety and well-being. Stay tuned for valuable tips and insights on how to navigate the digital world as a parent.

TikTok Parental Controls

TikTok is a platform for hosting short-form videos where users can share content ranging from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. It was globally launched in 2018, following its earlier existence in China since 2016. Since its introduction, TikTok has experienced rapid growth in popularity, surpassing established industry giants like Zoom and Google. The videos on TikTok cover a wide range of genres, from music videos to dance performances. Users have the ability to edit their videos before sharing them online, and viewers can like and comment on the content. "Likes" hold significant value on social media platforms like TikTok, as they play a crucial role in driving content creation. The app features a "For You" section that presents users with new content based on their past interactions, likes, and searches. Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok's algorithm does not prioritize content based on popularity, giving every user an equal chance of having their content discovered.

While TikTok itself may not pose inherent dangers, it’s advisable for parents to stay informed about their child's activities on the platform. Implementing parental controls is crucial, as children may not always make the best decisions for themselves. Therefore, the key question is: "How can I supervise my child's TikTok usage?" To establish monitoring measures, parents can explore TikTok's built-in parental control settings or opt for a third-party parental control application.

Read more at: TikTok Parental Controls: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide ( safes.so )

Parental Controls on YouTube

YouTube provides parents with two primary methods to manage their child's viewing activities. They can adjust YouTube's settings to safeguard against exposure to unsuitable content or opt to download the YouTube Kids app on iOS or Android devices. In the following discussion, we will delve into the specifics of each option, outlining their functionalities and determining the most effective approach for implementing parental controls on YouTube.

When selecting from the various content options available on YouTube Kids, you will have four choices to make. While YouTube's systems work hard to filter out inappropriate content for young children, they are unable to manually review every video, so there is a possibility of encountering unsuitable material that slipped through the cracks.

The "Preschool" content option allows children to watch videos that promote imagination, play, learning, and exploration. This setting only displays search results for content suitable for children aged 4 and under. The "Younger" content option enables children to search and explore songs, cartoons, crafts, and other content suitable for children aged 8 and under. The "Older" content option allows children to search for and explore additional music videos, games, science, and other topics suitable for children aged 12 and under. With the "Approve content yourself" feature, your child can only view videos, channels, or collections that you have approved. Channels and videos are organized into collections based on subjects like science and music, and your child is unable to search for content with this setting.

To learn more about parental controls on YouTube, read the complete blog post at: A Complete Guide to Parental Controls on YouTube ( safes.so )

Instagram Parental Controls

Instagram is a popular platform for sharing images and connecting with friends, but it’s important to recognize the potential risks it poses for children. For those under the age of 13, Instagram is not a safe environment. Not only does this violate the platform's terms of service, but the exposure to unfiltered content, the risk of encountering online predators, and the addictive nature of the platform make it unsuitable for young minds. Even for older children, Instagram can present dangers. Communicating with strangers online can lead to bullying or harassment, and the curated content and unrealistic beauty standards can have a negative impact on self-esteem. However, there are steps that can be taken to improve the safety of Instagram for your child. These include open communication, setting strong privacy settings such as private accounts and restricted direct messages, and actively monitoring your child's usage of the platform.

Given that the majority of Instagram users are adults, it is common to encounter mature content on the platform. While Instagram's terms of service specify that users must be above 13 years old to sign up and use the platform, there is no age verification process in place. This lack of verification means that children under the age of 13 may falsify their ages to create accounts on Instagram. If you are considering creating an Instagram account for your child, it is technically possible, but it is not recommended. Some parents may question whether it is safe for 12-year-olds to use Instagram if 13-year-olds are allowed. However, due to the risks outlined in the following paragraphs, some experts argue that even allowing 13-year-olds to use the platform raises concerns.

Read more about Instagram parental control features in our blog post: The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Parental Controls ( safes.so )

Facebook Parental Controls

Facebook requires users to be at least 13 years old, a rule established for legal compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States. It’s important to note that creating a Facebook account for children under 12 is against the law, so if your child is under 13, it’s advisable to delete their account. For teenagers within the age limit, it’s essential to be aware of the risks they may encounter on the platform. Like any online platform, Facebook carries certain risks and potential dangers. Here are some common risks associated with using Facebook:

Privacy concerns: Facebook gathers a significant amount of personal information from its users, which can be used for targeted advertising but also poses a risk to privacy. Users may inadvertently disclose personal information that could be exploited by malicious individuals or used for identity theft.

Cyberbullying: Facebook can be a platform for cyberbullying , where users may engage in insulting, harassing, threatening, or intimidating behavior towards others. Victims of cyberbullying may suffer emotional and psychological consequences.

Read more about Facebook parental controls on our blog post: How to Activate All of Facebook Parental Controls Features ( safes.so )

Parental Controls on Threads

Threads is a competitor to the popular micro-blogging social media platform Twitter. Similar to Twitter, Threads allows users to share short text snippets, images, and videos. Users can engage with content by liking, commenting, and reposting other users' Threads. Additionally, users can follow and message each other. While these features offer great functionality, it’s important to consider the potential risks they pose for your child. Just like on other platforms, comments can serve as breeding grounds for cyberbullying, hate speech, and offensive language. Moreover, private messages can become channels for scams and individuals with harmful intentions targeting children. It’s also worth noting that, despite Threads' guidelines prohibiting explicit content, users may still encounter posts containing shocking material.

Read more at: Setting Up Parental Controls on Threads: A Parental Guide ( safes.so )