Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and it’s not surprising that even young children are keen to explore these platforms. However, not all social media apps are safe for kids.
In recent years, we’ve seen several cases of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators. As a result, many parents are rightfully concerned about their children’s online safety.
In this article, I will provide a comprehensive list of social media apps that will be safe for kids in 2023. These apps have been carefully selected based on their security features, age-appropriate content, and user policies. Parents can use this list as a guide to ensure that their children can explore the world of social media safely and securely.
Criteria for Safe Social Media Apps for Kids
As social media apps become more popular among children over ten, it’s important to ensure they use them safely. However, choosing safe social media apps can be challenging for parents, as not all apps are created equal.
Below are the criteria for safe social media apps for kids over ten. These criteria are based on user privacy, age-appropriate content, parental controls, and community guidelines. Here are the requirements for safe social media apps for kids over ten years old:
- User privacy: they must prioritize user privacy by implementing strong security measures to protect users’ personal information from unauthorized access.
- Age-appropriate content: they should provide age-appropriate content suitable for children over ten years old.
- Parental controls: they must provide parental control features that allow parents to monitor their child’s activity on the app and limit access to inappropriate content.
- Community guidelines: they should have clear policies prohibiting bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior.
- Appropriate advertisements: they must ensure that the advertisements shown to children are age-appropriate and not misleading.
- User feedback: they should allow users to provide feedback on the app’s features, policies, and performance. This feedback can help the app developers to improve the app’s user experience and safety features.
- Moderation: they must have an effective moderation system to detect and remove inappropriate content or behavior on the platform.
- Verification: they should implement a verification process to ensure that users are who they claim to be and prevent fake accounts.
- Transparency: they must be transparent about their data collection and sharing practices and provide users with clear information on how their data is used.
- Education: they should provide educational resources to help children learn how to use the app safely and responsibly and to raise awareness about online safety issues.
By considering these additional criteria, parents can make an informed decision when selecting safe social media apps for children over ten years old.
Top Social Media Apps That Are Safe for Kids
Parents want their children to have access to social media apps that are both fun and safe. However, with so many social media apps available, knowing which ones are appropriate for our children can take time and effort.
That’s why we have compiled a list of the top social media apps that are safe for kids. Our list is based on carefully evaluating the apps’ safety features, age-appropriate content, parental controls, and community guidelines.
Facebook Messenger Kids
Facebook Messenger Kids is an app designed for children between 6 and 12. The app offers a range of features that make it appropriate for children. One of the critical features of the app is parental control.
Parents can create and manage their child’s account, control who their child can communicate with, and monitor their child’s activity on the app. In addition, it allows parents to ensure that their child is using the app safely and responsibly.
The app also has an age limit specifically designed for young users. It provides a safe and appropriate environment for children using the app. Additionally, the app provides privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content. It provides a layer of safety and privacy for children using the app.
Facebook Messenger Kids also provides various fun and exciting features, making it popular among young users. These features include video and voice calling, messaging, and sending photos and videos. In addition, the app is designed to be easy to use, which makes it accessible to children who may be new to using technology.
In summary, Facebook Messenger Kids is a safe and appropriate messaging app for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Its parental control, age limit, privacy settings, and engaging features make it popular among young users. However, parents should still monitor their child’s app use and educate them on safe online practices.
Features of Messenger Kids
Messenger Kids is a messaging app designed for children under 13 with features and safety measures, including parental control, age limit, privacy settings, safe messaging, and no ads. Here are some of the app’s features and safety measures.
- Parental controls: it allows parents to create an account for their child and manage their contact list. Parents can also set up time limits and monitor their child’s activity on the app.
- Age-appropriate content: it provides a kid-friendly interface with stickers, GIFs, and other age-appropriate content. The app also filters out inappropriate content and prevents strangers from contacting children.
- No Ads: it does not display ads, making it a safer and less distracting environment for children.
- Messaging options: children can send text, voice messages, photos, and videos to their contacts. They can also participate in group chats with their friends and family members.
- Encryption: all messages on Facebook Messenger for Kids are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can read the messages.
- Reporting and blocking: it provides a reporting and blocking system to prevent bullying, harassment, and other inappropriate behavior. Parents can also report or block contacts on behalf of their child.
In summary, Facebook Messenger for Kids is a safe and easy-to-use messaging app for children. Its parental controls, age-appropriate content, and encryption features make it a popular choice for parents who want to provide their children a safe way to communicate with friends and family.
TikTok
TikTok is a social media app popular among young people and provides a platform for creative expression through short-form videos. Children can showcase their interests, hobbies, and personality through their content using features such as filters, effects, and editing tools.
The platform’s minimum age limit of 13 years old makes it appropriate for children to use the app. The app also provides safety features such as Family Pairing, which allows parents to link their account with their child’s account, control certain features, and limit screen time.
The application also has clear community guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior on the app. Users who violate these guidelines can be banned from the app, which helps to maintain a positive and safe environment for users.
In addition, TikTok’s algorithm is designed to recommend appropriate content for the user’s age. As a result, children are less likely to be exposed to inappropriate content while using the app. Furthermore, TikTok’s content is moderated by a team of moderators who review content to ensure it is appropriate for the app’s audience.
Overall, TikTok is a social media app that provides a fun and creative platform for children to express themselves. Its age limit, safety features, community guidelines, and moderated content make it a safe and appropriate social media app for children. However, parents should still monitor their children’s app use and educate them on safe online practices.
Features of Tiktok
TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short-form videos. Here are some of the app’s most notable features and functionalities.
- Video creation: it allows users to create and share short videos, typically ranging from 15 to 60 seconds. Users can add music, special effects, and filters to their videos.
- For You Page: the app’s For You page shows users a personalized feed of videos based on their interests and previous activity on the app.
- Privacy settings: it provides privacy settings allowing users to control who can see their videos, comment on them, and send them direct messages. Users can also block or report other users who are sending them unwanted messages.
- Parental controls: it provides parental controls that allow parents to limit their child’s screen time, restrict access to inappropriate content, and limit who can contact their child on the app.
- Restricted mode: its restricted mode allows users to filter out content that may not be appropriate for all audiences. This feature can be handy for parents who want to ensure their children only see age-appropriate content.
- Age limit: it requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app. However, no age verification process exists to confirm the user’s age.
- Community guidelines: it has clear community guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior on the app. Users who violate these guidelines can be banned from the app.
In summary, TikTok offers a range of features that make it a popular choice among young people. In addition, its privacy settings, parental controls, and community guidelines make it a relatively safe app.
Instagram is a social media app that is widely used by young people and offers a range of features that make it appropriate for children. One of Instagram’s key features is the ability to express creativity through photos and videos.
With filters, stickers, and editing tools, children can showcase their interests and hobbies through their content. It allows children to express themselves in a fun and creative way.
The service provides a range of privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content. For example, children can make their profile private, meaning only their approved followers can see their content. It provides a layer of safety and privacy for children using the app.
The software requires users to use the app at least 13 years old. This age limit is designed to protect children from potential risks associated with social media use. Additionally, Instagram has clear community guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior on the app.
The platform also provides a parental control feature that allows parents to monitor and control their child’s app use. For example, parents can set restrictions on who their child can interact with and limit their child’s access to certain features. This feature allows parents to ensure that their child is using the app safely and responsibly.
In summary, Instagram offers a creative platform for children to express themselves and connect with others who share similar interests, with safety features like privacy settings, age limits, community guidelines, and parental control. However, parents should still monitor their children’s use of the app and educate them on safe online practices.
Features of Instagram
Instagram is a widely-used social media app enabling users to share photos, videos, and stories. The platform offers a variety of features and functionalities that have contributed to its immense popularity across the globe. This list will explore some of the app’s most notable features and functionalities.
- Photo and video sharing: it allows users to share photos and videos with their followers. Users can add filters, captions, and location tags to their posts.
- Stories: its stories feature allows users to share temporary photos and videos with their followers. They disappear after 24 hours.
- Direct messaging: the app’s natural messaging feature allows users to send private messages to each other. Users can send text messages, photos, videos, and voice messages.
- Privacy settings: it provides privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their posts and who can message them. Users can also block or report other users sending them unwanted messages.
- Two-factor authentication: it provides two-factor authentication to enhance the security of user accounts. Users can receive a text message or use an authentication app to verify their identity when logging in from a new device.
- Age limit: it requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app. However, no age verification process exists to confirm the user’s age.
- Community guidelines: it has clear community guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior on the app. Users who violate these guidelines can be banned from the app.
In summary, Instagram offers a range of features that make it a popular choice among users worldwide. In addition, its privacy settings, direct messaging, and two-factor authentication make it a relatively safe app.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a social media app popular among young people and provides a range of fun and creative features that children can enjoy.
The software requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app, making it appropriate for children of age to use it. The app also has clear community guidelines prohibiting bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior.
Users who violate these guidelines can be banned from the app, which helps to maintain a positive and safe environment for users.
In summary, Snapchat is a fun and creative app that provides a unique experience for its users. Its short-lived content, privacy settings, age limit, and clear community guidelines make it a safe and appropriate social media app for children. However, parents should still monitor their children’s app use and educate them on safe online practices.
Features of Snapchat
Snapchat is a widely-used social media app that enables users to send and receive photos and videos that disappear shortly. The app is top-rated among young users and offers a variety of features and functionalities that make it an appealing platform. Here are the app’s key features and functionalities.
- Photo and video sharing: it allows users to share photos and videos with their friends. These posts disappear after a short period, typically ranging from a few seconds to 24 hours.
- Filters and lenses: it provides a variety of filters and lenses that users can add to their photos and videos. These filters and lenses can transform a user’s appearance, add special effects, and more.
- Direct messaging: the app’s natural messaging feature allows users to send private messages to each other. Users can send text messages, photos, videos, and voice messages.
- Snap map: its feature allows users to see their friends’ locations on a map. Users can share their location with all their friends, a select group of friends, or no one.
- Privacy settings: it provides privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their posts and who can message them. Users can also block or report other users sending them unwanted messages.
- Age limit: it requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app. However, no age verification process exists to confirm the user’s age.
- Community guidelines: it has clear community guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior on the app. Users who violate these guidelines can be banned from the app.
In summary, Snapchat offers a range of features that make it a popular choice among young people. Its photo and video sharing, filters and lenses, and direct messaging features make it a fun and engaging app.
Amino
Amino is an appropriate social networking app for children because it allows them to join communities based on their interests and connect with others who share similar hobbies, fandoms, or lifestyles.
The app is designed to be a safe and fun place for young people to socialize and make new friends while promoting positive interactions and discouraging negative behavior.
The program provides a range of safety measures that make it an appropriate app for children, including privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content and who can message them.
The interface also provides content warnings for sensitive or potentially triggering content and has clear community guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior on the app. In addition, Amino has a team of moderators who monitor the app’s communities and remove any content that violates the app’s guidelines.
Overall, Amino is a safe and appropriate social networking app for children who want to connect with others who share their interests. It promotes positive interactions and provides a range of safety features that help parents monitor their child’s use of the app and ensure that they are using it safely and responsibly.
Features of Amino
Amino is a social media app that allows users to create and join online communities based on their interests. The app provides a range of features and functionalities, making it a popular choice among young users who want to connect with others who share similar interests. Here are some of its key features and functionalities.
- Community-based structure: it allows users to join communities based on their interests, such as fandoms, hobbies, or lifestyles. Users can participate in discussions, share content, and make friends within these communities.
- Messaging and chatting: it provides messaging, and chat features that allow users to connect and make new friends.
- Moderation: it has a team of moderators who monitor the app’s communities and remove any content that violates the app’s community guidelines. Users can also report any inappropriate content or behavior to the moderators.
- Age limit: it requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app.
- Privacy settings: it provides privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content and who can message them. Users can also block or report other users sending them unwanted messages.
- Content warnings: it provides warnings for sensitive or potentially triggering content, such as discussions of mental health or graphic violence.
- Community guidelines: it has clear community guidelines that prohibit bullying, harassment, hate speech, and other inappropriate behavior on the app. Users who violate these guidelines can be banned from the app.
In summary, Amino is a social networking app that allows users to connect based on their interests. Its community-based structure and messaging features make it popular among young people.
PopJam
PopJam is a social media app designed specifically for children under 13. The app provides a range of features that make it appropriate and safe for young users.
One of its key features is moderation. The app has a team of moderators who review content to ensure it is appropriate for young users. The app also provides reporting tools allowing users to report inappropriate content or behavior. It ensures that the app maintains a positive and safe environment for children.
Another feature of PopJam is its age limit. The app is designed for children under 13 and requires users to verify their age during the account creation. It helps to protect young users from potential risks associated with social media use.
The app also provides a range of privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content. For example, children can make their profile private, meaning only their approved contacts can see their content. It provides an additional layer of protection for young users.
Moreover, PopJam provides a messaging experience designed to be safe for young users. The app has several features that prevent children from sending or receiving inappropriate content. The app also provides educational content designed to be fun and engaging for young users, which helps children learn while they use the app.
PopJam is a safe and appropriate social media app for young users. Its moderation, age limit, privacy settings, secure messaging, and educational content make it a popular choice among parents who want to provide their children with a social media app designed for their age group.
Features of PopJam
PopJam is a social media app designed for children under 13. However, the app provides a range of features that make it suitable for young users. Here are some of its key features and safety measures.
- Moderation: it has a team of moderators who review content on the app to ensure that it is appropriate for young users. The app also provides reporting tools allowing users to report inappropriate content or behavior.
- Age limit: it is designed for children under the age of 13 and requires users to verify their age during the account creation process. It helps to protect young users from potential risks associated with social media use.
- Privacy settings: it provides a range of privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content. Children can make their profiles private, meaning only their approved contacts can see their content.
- Safe messaging: it provides a messaging experience designed to be safe for young users. The app has several features that prevent children from sending or receiving inappropriate content.
- No ads: it does not display ads, meaning children are not exposed to marketing messages while using the app.
- Educational content: it provides educational content that is designed to be fun and engaging for young users. It helps children to learn while they use the app.
PopJam is a safe and appropriate social media app for young users. Its moderation, age limit, privacy settings, safe messaging, no ads, and educational content make it a popular choice among parents who want to provide their children with a social media app designed for their age group.
Messenger Kids from Google
Messenger Kids is a messaging app designed for children under 13 by Google, and it is appropriate for young users due to several features. One of its key features is parental control, allowing parents to create and manage their child’s account, approve contacts, and monitor activity on the app.
Another feature of the software is its age limit, which is intended for children under 13. It helps to protect young users from potential risks associated with social media use. In addition, the app requires parents to verify their child’s age during the account creation process.
The application also provides a range of privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content. For example, children can make their profile private, meaning only their approved contacts can see their content.
Moreover, the program provides a safe messaging experience appropriate for young users. The app has several filters and features that prevent children from sending or receiving inappropriate content. In addition, there are no ads on the app, which means that children are not exposed to marketing messages while using the app.
Messenger Kids is a safe and appropriate messaging app for young users. Its parental control, age limit, privacy settings, safe messaging, and ad-free experience make it a popular choice among parents who want to provide their children with a messaging app designed for their age group.
However, parents should still monitor their child’s app use and educate them on safe online practices.
Features of Messenger Kids from Google
Messenger Kids from Google is a messaging app designed for children under 13. The app provides a range of features and functionalities that make it appropriate and safe for young users. Here are some of its key features and functionalities.
- Parental control: it is designed to give parents control over their child’s messaging experience. Parents can create and manage their child’s accounts, approve contacts, and monitor their child’s activity on the app.
- Age limit: it is intended for children under 13 and requires parents to verify their child’s age during the account creation process. This age limit is designed to protect children from potential risks associated with social media use.
- Privacy settings: it provides a range of privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their profile and content. Children can make their profiles private, meaning only their approved contacts can see their content.
- Safe messaging: it provides a messaging experience designed to be safe for young users. The app has a range of filters and features that prevent children from sending or receiving inappropriate content.
- No Ads: it does not display ads, meaning children are not exposed to marketing messages while using the app.
Messenger Kids is a safe and appropriate messaging app for young users. Its parental control, age limit, privacy settings, safe messaging, and ad-free experience make it a popular choice among parents who want to provide their children with a messaging app designed for their age group.
Conclusion
Regarding social media apps that are safe for kids, several popular options are available. Facebook Messenger Kids, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Amino, PopJam, and Messenger Kids from Google all offer features and safety measures appropriate for young users.
However, parents should still exercise caution and monitor their children’s use of these apps to ensure they use them safely and responsibly.
By considering each app’s age limit, privacy settings, parental controls, and safety measures, parents can make informed decisions about which social media apps are best suited for their children.