Should kids under 13 use social media?

Most social media companies allow those 13 years and older to use their platforms. But U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said recently on CNN that 13 is “too early.” In early adolescence, kids are still “developing their identity, their sense of self,” Murthy said on CNN's “Newsroom” on Jan.

Is social media ok for 13 year olds?

Jan. 30, 2023 -- The U.S. Surgeon General says 13 years old is too young to begin using social media. Most social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook allow users to create accounts if they say they are at least 13 years old.

Why should kids under 13 not be on social media?

Parents should be conscious of the risks of youth using social media. These are further discussed below. Risks include being subject to cyberbullying and online harassment, placing inappropriate content online, Facebook depression, and decreased sleep.

Should kids under 13 have Instagram?

How old should kids be to use Instagram? According to the terms of service, you have to be 13, but there's no age-verification process, so it's very easy for kids under 13 to sign up. Common Sense rates Instagram for age 15 and up because of mature content, access to strangers, marketing ploys, and data collection.

Is Instagram OK for my 12 year old?

Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account (in some jurisdictions, this age limit may be higher). Accounts that represent someone under the age of 13 must clearly state in the account's bio that the account is managed by a parent or manager.

Should kids under 13 be on social media?

Can 12 year olds have TikTok?

TikTok has different rules for different ages: Users under age 13 can't post videos or comment, and content is curated for a younger audience. For kids age 13 to 15, accounts are private by default. Only friends can comment on videos, and other users can't duet (explained below) with your videos.

Is social media ok for 12 year olds?

Due to the various dangers and effects of social media, it is necessary that parents restrict their children from using social media until at least 13 years old. At that age, they may introduce those apps to their children so the process becomes more gradual and easier to monitor.

Should kids under 14 use social media?

Most social media companies allow those 13 years and older to use their platforms. But U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said recently on CNN that 13 is “too early.” In early adolescence, kids are still “developing their identity, their sense of self,” Murthy said on CNN's “Newsroom” on Jan.

Why kids under 12 should have social media?

Social media can help improve family relationships and be a shared interest among family members. Interacting via social networking sites can provide a sort of a safety net, helping children to be more honest when they're posting updates or tweets.

How many people under 13 use social media?

A research study into use of social media platforms by minors found that upwards of 40% of children under 13 were using them, despite accounts supposedly being limited to teenagers and adults. The research included TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Is YouTube OK for 13 year olds?

Yes, it's generally pretty safe if you take advantage of YouTube's tiered parental controls. Depending on their age, kids will have access to different types of content. And for very young children, YouTube for Kids is a great option. As always, inappropriate content may slip through, though.

What age is too early for social media?

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently warned that age 13 and younger is too early for America's kids to be using social media platforms — despite this being the minimum age to join many of these popular sites, such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.

Is TikTok safe for 13 year olds?

Make sure your child signs up to TikTok with the correct age

All accounts created by 13-16-year-olds are set to private by default. They also have restricted access to direct messages and livestreaming. However, you should still review the settings to ensure they've been set up correctly.

What are 10 benefits of social media?

Are social media good or bad?

Since it's a relatively new technology, there's little research to establish the long-term consequences, good or bad, of social media use. However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.

Why is 13 the best age for social media?

And why 13 years of age? '13' came about because tech companies must abide by a 1998 law called the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. It is intended to protect the privacy of children aged 12 and under, and keeps companies from collecting and disseminating children's personal information.

Is social media good or bad for kids?

Social media affects teenagers' mental health negatively by limiting direct contact with peers and encouraging constant comparison online, which can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Is social media safe for kids?

It's important to teach children that even though social media is fun to use, there are risks too. Social media use makes kids and teens vulnerable to cyberbullying and provides the opportunity to cyberbully others. Limited face-to-face interaction decreases filters.

Should kids under 13 have a phone?

“Ten to 12 is a great range because kids are still very connected to their parents and into their parents being in their phone and in their business,” says Catherine Pearlman, a licensed clinical social worker and author of “First Phone,” a guide for kids.

Is TikTok 18+ a thing?

TikTok is extending the hours of its adult swim. The app is letting users restrict their videos so only viewers only the age of 18 can watch. In a blog post, TikTok announced an expansion of its Content Levels, which group the app's users by age and restrict the content seen by younger groups.

Is Snapchat safe for 11 year olds?

Is Snapchat safe for preteens and teens? Most kids use Snapchat to goof around and stay in contact with their friends—end of story. Yes, there's some mature content, but it's appropriate for most teens 16 and up.

Does TikTok allow 18+ content?

TikTok's community guidelines prohibit nudity, sexual activity, and sexually explicit content. Sexually suggestive content is already restricted from appearing in recommendations on FYPs.

Is Roblox safe for kids?

There is no official age that kids can play Roblox, but Common Sense Media rates the platform safe for users 13+ "based on continuing challenges with problematic content.

Is TikTok deleting accounts under 13?

For users aged under 13, we'll delete your account on day 120 (or day 30 in the U.S.) from the date of our appeal decision and start deleting all your other data. Learn more about underage appeals on TikTok and how to download your data.

How old should a kid be to get a phone?

At what age should a kid get a phone? Experts suggest that you should wait to get your kid a smartphone until at least 8th grade. Along with age, a kid's social awareness, understanding of technology, and maturity should be considered.