Platform Safety Guides

Step-by-step instructions for configuring safety settings on every major platform your kids might use. Settings change frequently — check back for updates.

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⚠️ No setting is foolproof.Parental controls reduce risk but don't eliminate it. Combine technical controls with ongoing conversations about online safety.

Instagram

Min age: 13+Risk: High

Full Instagram Safety Guide →

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Set account to Private: Settings → Privacy → Private Account
☐Enable Supervision: Family Center → Set up supervision for your teen
☐Restrict DMs: Settings → Privacy → Messages → limit who can message
☐Turn off Activity Status: Settings → Privacy → Activity Status → Off
☐Enable Sensitive Content Control: Settings → Suggested Content → restrict
☐Set daily time limit through Family Center or device settings
☐Disable 'Suggest account to others': Settings → Privacy → toggle off

Note: Instagram now defaults teens under 16 to private accounts with restricted DMs. Verify these settings are still active. Teens can override some parental controls after 2 weeks if parents don't respond.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Open Settings → Privacy → Account Privacy
2.Toggle 'Private Account' to ON
3.Go to Settings → Privacy → Story → disable sharing to Facebook
4.Under Settings → Privacy → Tags → enable 'Manually Approve Tags'
5.Disable 'Allow others to reshare your stories' under Story settings

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Settings → Privacy → Messages → set to 'People you follow' only
•Disable message requests from non-followers
•Turn off 'Allow others to add you to groups' or set to 'People you follow'
•Under Family Center, parents can see who their teen messages (not content)

🛡️ Content Filters

•Settings → Suggested Content → choose 'Less' for sensitive content
•Enable 'Hidden Words' to auto-filter offensive DMs and comments
•Customize the Hidden Words list with terms you want blocked
•Turn on comment filters: Settings → Privacy → Comments → filter by keywords

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Family Center: set daily time limits (teen gets notified)
•Family Center: schedule 'break' times when Instagram is unavailable
•Family Center: view who your teen follows and who follows them
•Family Center: receive notifications when teen reports someone
•Note: teens can appeal or override after 2 weeks if parent doesn't respond

TikTok

Min age: 13+Risk: High

Full TikTok Safety Guide →

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Enable Family Pairing: Profile → Settings → Family Pairing → link accounts
☐Restrict DMs: Family Pairing → Direct Messages → turn off or limit to friends
☐Set screen time limits: Family Pairing → Screen Time Management
☐Enable Restricted Mode: Family Pairing → Restricted Mode → On
☐Disable 'Suggest to contacts': Settings → Privacy → toggle off
☐Limit who can view liked videos, following list
☐Turn off personalized ads: Settings → Privacy → Ads personalization → Off

Note: TikTok's algorithm is extremely powerful at pushing engagement. Even with Restricted Mode, inappropriate content can slip through. Accounts for users under 16 have DMs disabled by default.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Go to Profile → Settings and Privacy → Privacy
2.Set account to 'Private Account' — only approved followers see content
3.Disable 'Suggest your account to others' toggle
4.Under 'Downloads', disable 'Allow your videos to be downloaded'
5.Set 'Who can view your liked videos' to 'Only Me'

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Family Pairing → Direct Messages → set to 'No One' or 'Friends'
•Under 16: DMs are disabled by default — do not enable them
•Disable 'Allow your account to be found by phone number'
•Set 'Who can send you friend requests' to 'No One' or 'Friends of Friends'

🛡️ Content Filters

•Family Pairing → Restricted Mode filters mature content from the feed
•Set 'Content Preferences' → limit content by keyword (Settings → Content Preferences)
•Use 'Not Interested' on videos to train the algorithm away from unwanted topics
•Note: Restricted Mode is imperfect — still review what your child watches

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Family Pairing: set daily screen time limit (40, 60, 90, 120 min or custom)
•Family Pairing: set a 'screen time schedule' to block access during certain hours
•Family Pairing: enable Restricted Mode (teen cannot turn it off)
•Family Pairing: control who can comment, duet, or stitch with your teen's videos
•Family Pairing: mute push notifications during set hours

Snapchat

Min age: 13+Risk: High

Full Snapchat Safety Guide →

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Enable Family Center: Settings → Family Center → invite your child
☐Turn off Snap Map: Settings → Privacy → See My Location → Ghost Mode
☐Restrict contact: Settings → Privacy → Contact Me → Friends Only
☐Disable Quick Add: Settings → Privacy → See Me in Quick Add → Off
☐Review friend list regularly (Snapchat doesn't show parents the friend list by default)
☐Set up My AI restrictions through Family Center

Note: Snapchat's disappearing messages feature makes monitoring extremely difficult. The Snap Map can reveal your child's real-time location to anyone unless Ghost Mode is enabled. Family Center shows who your child is friends with and talking to, but not message content.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Settings → Privacy Controls → toggle 'Ghost Mode' on Snap Map
2.Set 'See My Location' to 'Only Me' (not 'My Friends')
3.Under 'View My Story', set to 'Friends Only' or 'Custom'
4.Disable 'See Me in Quick Add' so strangers can't discover the account
5.Under 'Spotlight & Snap Map', disable 'Show me in Spotlight'

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Settings → Privacy Controls → Contact Me → set to 'Friends Only'
•This ensures only added friends can send snaps or chats
•Family Center: view your child's friend list and who they've chatted with (past 7 days)
•Block unknown accounts immediately — teach your child how to block and report

🛡️ Content Filters

•Snapchat has limited content filtering — Discover content is editorially curated but can be mature
•Family Center: restrict access to certain Discover content
•Restrict My AI: through Family Center, limit or disable the AI chatbot
•Report inappropriate content via long-press → Report on any snap

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Family Center: see who your child is friends with
•Family Center: see who your child has messaged (not message content)
•Family Center: restrict sensitive content in Stories and Discover
•Family Center: restrict My AI chatbot access
•Note: Snapchat does NOT offer screen time limits — use device-level controls

Discord

Min age: 13+Risk: Very High

Full Discord Safety Guide →Is Discord Safe for Kids? →

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Enable 'Keep Me Safe' DM filter: Settings → Privacy & Safety → Safe Direct Messaging
☐Turn off DMs from server members: Settings → Privacy & Safety → toggle off
☐Disable 'Allow DMs from server members' per-server: right-click server → Privacy Settings
☐Enable 2FA: Settings → My Account → Enable Two-Factor Auth
☐Review server list regularly — leave unfamiliar or large public servers
☐Set 'Who can add you as a friend' to 'Server Members' or 'Friends of Friends' only

Note: Discord is one of the highest-risk platforms for children. No built-in parental controls. Servers can contain any content. Voice channels allow unmonitored conversations. The 764 network and similar groups actively recruit on Discord.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Settings → Privacy & Safety → set 'Safe Direct Messaging' to 'Keep Me Safe'
2.Settings → Privacy & Safety → disable 'Allow direct messages from server members'
3.Settings → Privacy & Safety → disable 'Allow access to age-restricted content on iOS'
4.Per-server: right-click server icon → Privacy Settings → disable DMs from this server
5.Set 'Who can add you as a friend' to restrictive settings (Friends of Friends only)

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Settings → Privacy & Safety → Friend Requests → set to 'Friends of Friends' or 'Server Members'
•Disable DMs from all server members globally AND per-server
•Teach your child to never accept friend requests from people they don't know in real life
•Review the friend list regularly — Discord doesn't provide parental visibility tools

🛡️ Content Filters

•Settings → Privacy & Safety → 'Explicit Image Filter' → set to 'Filter all direct messages'
•This scans images for NSFW content in DMs and blocks them
•Server-level: servers can enable NSFW channel gates (but child can click through)
•Discord does NOT filter text content, voice chat, or screen shares

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Discord has NO built-in parental controls — this is a significant gap
•Family Center (launched 2023): allows linking parent/teen accounts for basic visibility
•Family Center shows: servers joined, friends list, and accounts messaged
•Family Center does NOT show: message content, voice calls, or shared media
•Consider third-party monitoring tools if allowing Discord use

Roblox

Min age: Under 13 allowedRisk: High

Full Roblox Safety Guide →Is Roblox Safe for Kids? →

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Set up Parental Controls: Settings → Parental Controls → set PIN
☐Enable Account Restrictions: limits chat and access to curated experiences only
☐Set allowed experiences by age rating (9+, 13+, 17+, All Ages)
☐Disable chat or limit to friends: Settings → Privacy → Communication settings
☐Review Monthly Parental Report (email summary of activity)
☐Turn off 'Allow others to invite to private servers'
☐Restrict spending: Settings → Parental Controls → Monthly Spend Restriction

Note: Roblox allows children under 13, making it a prime target for predators. Chat filtering exists but is imperfect — predators use coded language. Third-party 'experiences' (games) can contain inappropriate content. Review which experiences your child plays.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Settings → Privacy → set all fields to 'Friends' or 'No One'
2.Disable 'Allow others to find me by my phone number'
3.Under 'Other Settings', set 'Who can invite me to private servers' to 'No One'
4.Set 'Who can see my inventory' to 'No One' or 'Friends'
5.Lock all settings with a 4-digit Parental PIN so your child cannot change them

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Settings → Privacy → 'Who can message me' → set to 'Friends' or 'No One'
•Settings → Privacy → 'Who can chat with me in app' → set to 'Friends' or 'No One'
•Enable Account Restrictions to limit chat to a curated safe-chat list
•Under 13 accounts have stricter default filters, but verify they're still active

🛡️ Content Filters

•Set 'Allowed Experiences' to appropriate age rating (All Ages, 9+, 13+)
•Enable 'Account Restrictions' for the strictest content filtering
•Chat filter automatically replaces inappropriate words with '####' — but is imperfect
•Review your child's 'Recently Played' list regularly for unfamiliar experiences

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Parental Controls PIN: locks all privacy, spending, and content settings
•Monthly Spend Restriction: set a cap on Robux purchases
•Monthly Parental Report: email showing play time, friends added, experiences played
•Age-based experience restrictions: block 13+ or 17+ content
•Account Restrictions mode: most restrictive — curated content and limited chat only

YouTube

Min age: 13+ (YouTube Kids: any age)Risk: Medium

Full YouTube Safety Guide →

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Use YouTube Kids app for children under 13 (curated content)
☐Set up Supervised Experiences for 13+: families.google.com
☐Enable Restricted Mode: Settings → General → Restricted Mode → On
☐Disable Autoplay: Settings → Autoplay → Off (prevents rabbit holes)
☐Turn off search history: Settings → History → pause search history
☐Review watch history periodically
☐Disable comments visibility in supervised accounts

Note: YouTube's recommendation algorithm can lead children from innocent content to progressively disturbing material. Restricted Mode is imperfect. YouTube Kids is significantly safer for younger children.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Supervised account: go to families.google.com → manage your child's account
2.Set search history and watch history to 'Paused'
3.Under 'Data & Privacy', disable personalized ads
4.Set the channel to 'Private' if your child creates content — prevents public visibility
5.Disable location history in the linked Google account

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Supervised accounts: comments are disabled by default — leave this setting on
•Disable live chat participation on live streams
•If using regular YouTube (13+), disable 'Allow others to find my channel by email'
•YouTube does not have traditional DMs, but comments and live chat can be contact vectors

🛡️ Content Filters

•Restricted Mode: filters out potentially mature content from search and recommendations
•Supervised Experiences: choose from 'Explore' (9+), 'Explore More' (13+), or 'Most of YouTube'
•YouTube Kids: choose content level by age group (Preschool, Younger, Older)
•Block specific channels: go to channel → three dots → 'Block channel'

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Google Family Link: set daily screen time limits for YouTube
•Google Family Link: set 'bedtime' schedule to block access at night
•Supervised Experiences: choose content maturity level
•YouTube Kids: disable search to limit content discovery
•Review watch history weekly through Family Link dashboard

Fortnite / Xbox / PlayStation

Min age: Varies (Fortnite: 13+)Risk: Medium-High

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Set up parental controls through the console's family settings
☐Disable voice chat with strangers (friends only or off)
☐Restrict friend requests to mutual friends only
☐Turn off text chat or limit to friends
☐Set spending limits for in-game purchases
☐Enable play time management and reporting
☐Review friends list regularly

Note: Voice chat is the primary risk — predators join game lobbies and talk directly to children. Many parents don't realize gaming has social features beyond the game itself. In-game messaging is often unmonitored.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Xbox: Settings → Account → Privacy & online safety → set to 'Child defaults'
2.PlayStation: Settings → Family Management → select child → set restrictions
3.Fortnite: in-game Settings → Privacy → set to 'Private' or 'Friends Only'
4.Disable 'Share gameplay' features that broadcast to strangers
5.Set online status to 'Appear Offline' to prevent targeting

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Xbox: Privacy settings → 'Others can communicate' → Friends Only
•PlayStation: set 'Messages' to 'Friends Only' in parental controls
•Fortnite: disable voice chat or set to 'Friends Only' (not 'Party' or 'Everyone')
•Disable 'Accept friend requests from anyone' on all platforms

🛡️ Content Filters

•Xbox: set content restrictions by age rating (ESRB)
•PlayStation: set 'Age Level for Games' to match your child's age
•Nintendo Switch: Parental Controls app → set content restrictions
•Fortnite: enable 'Mature Language Filter' in Settings → Audio

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Xbox Family Settings app: manage screen time, spending, friends list remotely
•PlayStation: Family Management → set play time limits and spending caps
•Nintendo Switch: Parental Controls mobile app for time limits and content restrictions
•Epic Games: enable 'Cabined Accounts' for under-16 Fortnite players with restricted social features

Min age: 16+Risk: Medium

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Set profile photo visibility to 'My Contacts': Settings → Privacy → Profile Photo
☐Disable 'Last Seen' and 'Online': Settings → Privacy → Last Seen → Nobody
☐Restrict group additions: Settings → Privacy → Groups → My Contacts
☐Turn off read receipts: Settings → Privacy → Read Receipts → Off
☐Block and report unknown numbers that message your child
☐Enable two-step verification: Settings → Account → Two-Step Verification

Note: WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, making monitoring impossible without physical access to the device. The minimum age is 16, not 13. Group invites from strangers are a primary vector for exploitation.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Settings → Privacy → Profile Photo → set to 'My Contacts'
2.Settings → Privacy → About → set to 'My Contacts'
3.Settings → Privacy → Status → set to 'My Contacts'
4.Disable 'Last Seen' and 'Online' by setting to 'Nobody'
5.Enable disappearing messages as default for added protection if needed

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Settings → Privacy → Groups → set to 'My Contacts' to prevent unknown group adds
•Block unknown numbers immediately — don't engage
•Report spam/scam messages: long-press → Report
•Teach your child never to share their phone number publicly

🛡️ Content Filters

•WhatsApp has NO content filtering — all messages are end-to-end encrypted
•There is no way to filter images, videos, or links received
•Parents must rely on device-level monitoring or physical check-ins
•Consider: WhatsApp is designed for adults — the minimum age is 16 for a reason

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•WhatsApp has NO parental controls whatsoever
•End-to-end encryption means no monitoring is possible remotely
•Only option: periodic physical device checks (with your child's knowledge)
•Consider delaying WhatsApp access until your child is 16+
•Use device-level screen time controls (iOS Screen Time or Google Family Link)

Minecraft

Min age: 10+ (recommended)Risk: Medium

Full Minecraft Safety Guide →

Safety Settings Checklist

☐Use a Microsoft/Xbox account with Family Settings for Java & Bedrock editions
☐Set multiplayer to 'Friends Only' or disable it entirely
☐Disable in-game chat or set to 'Friends Only'
☐Only join trusted, moderated servers (avoid random public servers)
☐Review Minecraft Marketplace purchases and set spending limits
☐Enable Xbox Family Settings app for remote management
☐For Bedrock Edition: Settings → Profile → adjust multiplayer and chat permissions

Note: Minecraft itself is relatively safe — the risk comes from multiplayer servers and chat. Public servers can expose children to inappropriate language, builds, and predatory behavior. Stick to single-player, Realms with known friends, or well-moderated servers.

🔒 Privacy Settings

1.Xbox/Microsoft account → Privacy & online safety → set to child-appropriate defaults
2.In-game: Settings → Profile → set 'Multiplayer Game' visibility to Friends Only
3.Disable 'Join via LAN' if you don't want local network players connecting
4.On Realms: only invite known, trusted players — review member list regularly
5.Disable 'Allow Invites from' unknown players

👤 Who Can Contact Them

•Set multiplayer chat to 'Friends Only' or 'Disabled'
•On Bedrock Edition: Settings → Profile → Communication → Friends Only
•On Java Edition: use server-side plugins to restrict chat if hosting a server
•Disable voice chat integrations (some servers use third-party voice mods)

🛡️ Content Filters

•Minecraft has a built-in chat filter that blocks profanity and inappropriate language
•Xbox Family Settings can restrict content by age rating
•Marketplace content is reviewed by Microsoft, but community servers are not
•Mods and resource packs from third-party sites may contain inappropriate content — stick to official Marketplace

👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Controls

•Xbox Family Settings app: control play time, spending, multiplayer access, and friend requests
•Microsoft Family Safety: set screen time limits across all Microsoft-linked games
•Bedrock Edition respects Xbox privacy settings automatically
•Java Edition: fewer built-in controls — rely on server-level or device-level restrictions
•Set Marketplace spending limits through Microsoft account billing settings

General Tips for All Platforms

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Use a family email address that you control for account creation — not your child's personal email

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Enable two-factor authentication on every account

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Set strong, unique passwords (consider a family password manager)

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Review privacy settings monthly — platforms change defaults frequently

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Know your child's usernames on every platform

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Disable location sharing on all apps

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Set device-level screen time limits in addition to per-app settings

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Keep devices in common areas, especially for younger children

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Have regular, non-judgmental conversations about what they see and who they talk to online

Compare Platforms Side by Side

Not sure which platforms are safest? Use our comparison tool to see parental controls, minimum ages, risk levels, and features across every major platform at a glance.

Open Platform Comparison Tool →

Age-Based Recommendations

Every child is different, but here are general guidelines for which platforms are appropriate at each age.

Under 10

✅ Generally OK:

YouTube Kids • Minecraft (single-player or trusted Realms)

⚠️ With Caution:

Roblox (with Account Restrictions ON and parental PIN set)

🚫 Avoid or Delay:

Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, WhatsApp, Fortnite — all require 13+

10–12

✅ Generally OK:

YouTube Kids • Minecraft (with multiplayer restrictions) • Roblox (with parental controls)

⚠️ With Caution:

YouTube (with Supervised Experience set to 'Explore')

🚫 Avoid or Delay:

Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, WhatsApp — underage for all of these

13–15

✅ Generally OK:

YouTube (supervised) • Minecraft • Roblox

⚠️ With Caution:

Instagram (private + Family Center) • TikTok (with Family Pairing) • Fortnite (friends-only chat)

🚫 Avoid or Delay:

Discord (very high risk, minimal parental controls) • WhatsApp (min age is 16) • Snapchat (disappearing messages make monitoring near-impossible)

16–17

✅ Generally OK:

YouTube • Minecraft • Roblox • Instagram (private) • TikTok (with limits)

⚠️ With Caution:

Discord (with all DM filters on) • Snapchat (Ghost Mode, friends-only) • WhatsApp • Fortnite

🚫 Avoid or Delay:

Any platform without safety settings configured — no platform gets a free pass

What to Do When Your Child Wants a New App

Before saying yes or no, run through this evaluation checklist. It takes 10 minutes and can prevent months of problems.

New App Evaluation Checklist

1What is the minimum age requirement? Look at the Terms of Service, not just the App Store rating.
2Can strangers contact your child? Check if DMs, friend requests, or chat exist — and whether they can be disabled.
3Does it have parental controls? If not, that's a red flag. Check the platform's Family or Safety settings.
4Is there location sharing? Many apps use location by default. Find out how to disable it.
5Can content be reported and blocked? Your child should know how to report inappropriate behavior.
6Is content moderated? Understand whether the platform reviews content or relies entirely on user reports.
7Does content disappear? Disappearing messages (like Snapchat) make it harder to monitor interactions.
8Can you review activity? Check if the platform offers activity reports, watch/play history, or friend lists for parents.
9What do other parents say? Search '[app name] safety concerns' or check Common Sense Media for reviews.
10Have a conversation first. Explain your concerns, set ground rules together, and agree to revisit in 2 weeks.

Want to compare this app against platforms you already know? Use our Platform Comparison Tool to see how it stacks up.