Taking the Plunge: Getting Kids Started with Social Media

Navigating social media with your kiddos can be challenging, even for the most digitally savvy parent. There are so many apps out there that it can be overwhelming to know all of the different safety features for kids. When is it right for kids to start using social media? That’s up to the parents and we’ve got the info on all of them.

Taking the Plunge: Messenger Kids for my Six-Year-Old!

Recently, I decided to let my 6 year old son have access to Messenger Kids, the messaging app by Facebook. This wasn’t a decision I made lightly, and to be honest it was kind of monumental. It was our first baby step out into the world of social media, and I was so surprised it came so quickly. I knew, of course, that one day he would be asking me to get a social media account of some sort, but at 6? Whoever would have guessed it? Certainly not me. 

Even though he is only allowed to use Messenger under my strict supervision, I definitely did my research before giving him any kind of access to the app. But I know a time will come when he will begin using  social media apps on his own. For my mommy heart whose baby is growing up too fast, I hope that day is many, many, many years down the road. For other parents who may already be facing this challenge, having knowledge of the most popular social media sites is essential. We at Hello Wonder are here to help!

Facebook Facts

Facebook is the parent company of the Messenger Kids app and has been around since 2004. As one of the most popular social networking sites, it has over 3 billion users. Facebook claims it requires account holders to be at least 13 years old, but unfortunately, there is no verification process for that requirement. There is also no real verification for a user’s identity so that anyone can create an account under any name or personal description. 

Facebook also has a basic messenger app for account holders aged 13 and up. For this messenger app, separate settings also need to be enabled so that only known contacts can send messages. If this setting isn’t enabled, anyone can send a message to any account. This is incredibly scary for a host of reasons. A stranger contacting a child is a real possibility with the basic Facebook messenger app. Thankfully, if a child wants to chat with family and friends, there are options. 

The Messenger Kids app is a locked-down version of the basic Messenger app that requires a parent to approve any contact. Only the parent can request new contacts, so the child can’t unwittingly add an unknown person.

Other apps also have innovative solutions to kids' desire to chat. With Hello Wonder, there is an in-app messaging feature so that kids can chat directly and securely with their parents.  There is also a Trusted Adults feature, where parents can add a friend or family member to their family account, allowing them to chat with their child. This encourages kids and families to connect, share updates, and chat about their current interests, even though they may be far away. It’s a great way to keep grandparents located far away involved with your kiddos!

Instagram Info

Instagram is another incredibly popular social media site with over 2.4 billion users. Instagram is owned by Meta, also Facebook's parent company, so users must be at least 13 years old to open an account. There are several similarities between the two apps; both have stories, where posts are shared for 24 hours and then disappear, but Instagram also has the Close Friends option, where you can post content for a very select number of friends.

Instagram also offers messaging, but this is within the app, not an outside feature, so both parties must have the app. With their version of messaging, users can choose to have the messages remain in the inbox or automatically delete them after the user navigates away from the inbox. 

There is a feature called Family Center, where parents can receive updates on their children's accounts between the ages of 13 and 17. Notifications include who their kids follow and are followed by and if their child reports a user. Parents can also set usage limits, view their child’s messaging and sensitive content settings, and get an update if their child changes any of these. 

TikTok Tea

Following in the footsteps of Facebook and Instagram, newcomer TikTok also claims to require users to be at least 13 years old to have an account. Beyond the user telling TikTok that they’re of age, there is also no verification process. 

Similar to Instagram, TikTok allows users to choose whether their account will be public or private. They can also choose from additional privacy features, such as who can view their followers or who they follow. TikTok allows commenting on posts, so parents need to consider whether they will allow this, particularly if their child has a public account. 

TikTok recognizes the need for parental controls, and a child’s account can be linked to a parent’s account. This allows the parent to set up time limits, set what type of content can be viewed by the child account, and enable or disable direct messaging and the search feature. 

YouTube Truth

YouTube requires users to be 13 years of age but allows users of any age on its separate app, YouTube Kids. Users under the age of 18 can make their account private and post content that is viewable only by their followers/friends. Parents can enable Safety Mode, which filters out potentially inappropriate or mature content. This isn’t a catch-all but can help keep unwanted content from being served to children. 

YouTube and YouTube Kids can also be connected to Google’s Family Link. With this feature enabled, parents can tell YouTube the age of their child to ensure the appropriate account is set up. For children accounts for kids under the age of 13, Google automatically deletes subscriptions to and blocks inappropriate or mature content from YouTube videos, as well as commenting and live chats. Parents are also able to view their child’s video watch history.

X Marks the Spotty Security

Previously known as Twitter, X seems a bit like the Wild West when it comes to safety features. Parents should be aware of the lack of support around children and the few precautions to keep them safe. X also requires that account holders be at least 13 years old, and for users under 18, accounts must be set up through a parent’s account. 

Parents can enable the Sensitive Content settings to limit inappropriate or mature content. While this is helpful, it only applies to explicit content, and as X has a high tolerance for adult content, this is likely not enough monitoring. 

X does have a safety mode, but this doesn’t provide the security that we’re used to seeing. On X, Safety Mode can temporarily block an individual account for seven days. If the system finds that their Tweets are harmful or uninvited, the system may autoblock them in the future. Again, this would take additional monitoring to ensure unwanted accounts cannot interact with your child. Direct messages and photo tagging can also be turned off on X.  

Wonder Gives Parents the Power 

While safety features vary across the leading social media sites, with differing levels of control and verification, there’s genuinely nothing other than responsible adults to ensure that kids under 13 aren’t creating or accessing social media accounts. The responsibility we as parents have to care for our kids extends to the internet, and we must take every available precaution to ensure that their physical and mental well-being is safeguarded. 

While it may not have the history of Facebook or the notoriety of TikTok, Hello Wonder is a safe, engaging place where your kid can truly just be a kid. The guesswork and questions of parental controls are taken care of for you, and you can simply allow your child to explore the internet, worry-free. Give your kids this wonderful gift of freedom, and give yourself peace of mind. Visit the website to learn more, or download the app today!