Social Media 101

Social media is any online gathering place which allows people to share ideas, information, photos and videos. Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat… as soon as you learn about one social media site, another one pops up and is the latest and greatest way for your kids to stay connected with their friends. As overwhelming as it seems, familiarizing yourself with the sites and apps out there will help you to better understand what your children are doing and will help you understand privacy policies to keep them safe – while still allowing them to have fun and interact with their friends.

Help children use social networking sites safely

Social networking sites can have many benefits for children, such as allowing them to explore new interests. Help your children use them more safely by going over the following NetSmartz tips and discussion starters.

• Check your child’s friend lists to see who has access to his or her profile. Make sure your child knows all friends in person.
• Teach your child to set profiles to private–but be aware that privacy settings do not guarantee complete privacy.
• Have your child remove any inappropriate content and photos and delete any personal information.
• Check the profiles of your child’s friends to see if there is revealing information or photos about your child.
• Report inappropriate or criminal behavior to the appropriate authority. Most sites have a reporting mechanism for non-criminal behavior. Criminal behavior should be reported through law-enforcement agencies and the CyberTipline® at www.cybertipline.com.

Start a discussion with your child

Use these NetSmartz discussion starters to get an Internet safety conversation going with your children. The more often you talk to them about online safety, the easier it will get, so don’t get discouraged if they don’t respond immediately.

• Could you show me your online profile(s)?
• Do you use your real name or age when communicating with others online?
• What kinds of things do your post on your page?
• How do you decide who to add as a friend?
• Would you feel comfortable if I checked your profile?

Note: Based on feedback, the resources below have been listed by popularity of use (or misuse) rather than alphabetical order.

Instagram

Instagram (now owned by Facebook) is a free photo sharing app that allows users (age 13 and above) to take photos and 15-second videos with their mobile phones, apply an optional “filter” to the image and quickly share them with friends. 
Age Requirement: Instagram requires you to be at least 13 years old to register.
Instagram Tips for Parents (Source: Instagram)
A Parent’s Guide to Instagram (Source: Connect Safely)
Instagram Adds “Photos of You” Tagging Feature: How To Plus Privacy Tips(Source: Larry Magdid)
Report Something (Source: Instagram)

Snapchat

Snapchat is a photo messaging application developed by Stanford University students. Users can take photos, record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to a controlled list of recipients. These sent photographs and videos are known as “Snaps.” Users set a time limit for how long recipients can view their Snaps, ranging from up to 10 seconds to as little as 1 second, after which – in theory – they will be hidden from the recipient’s device and they are also deleted from snapchat server.
Age Requirement: Snapchat is not intended for children under the age of 13. Minors ages 13-17 should have permission from a parent or legal guardian before using Snapchat. Children under the age of 13 are only permitted to access a special version of Snapchat, called “SnapKidz,” which they are automatically directed to upon sign up.
Snapchat Guide for Parents (Source: Snapchat)
Parent’s Guide to Snapchat (Source: Connect Safely)
How to Report Abuse on Snapchat – Note: You must have a Snapchat account  (Source: Snapchat)

YikYak

Yik Yak is is a social chatting app that is location-based and claims to be anonymous. The free app allows users to post anonymous comments that can be viewed by anyone who is within 5 miles of the person who posted it. Users can post nameless comments that others in their immediate vicinity can see. Often the comments are mundane observations about what is going on around users, but they could include harassing messages, answers to tests, sexually explicit comments, hate speech, etc. When using Yik Yak, you can interact with others around you by posting Yaks, short snippets talking about absolutely anything and see a live feed of Yaks from others in your local area. With Yik Yak, you can talk about anything and get upvotes if people like what you have to say or downvotes if they don’t.
Age Requirement: Users must be 17 years old to download the app.

Twitter

Twitter is an online social networking service and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140 characters, known as “tweets”.
Age Requirement: Twitter used to be 13+ to set up an account. Twitter has now changed their policy. You are no longer asked to enter your birth date when signing up for an account. Twitter now uses age screening. Age screening is a way for brands and others to determine online whether a follower meets a minimum age requirement, in a way that is consistent with relevant industry or legal guidelines. This makes it easier for advertisers and others with content not suitable for minors (e.g. alcohol advertisers) to advertise on Twitter.
Twitter Basics (Source: Twitter)
Twitter Help Center – Safety Tips for Parents (Source: Twitter)
Twitter Online Abuse – How to Block and Report  (Source: Twitter)

Facebook

Facebook is currently the world’s largest social network, with over a billion users worldwide. Registered users can create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages to keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues. 
Age Requirement: Facebook requires you to be at least 13 years old to register.
Facebook Family Safety Center (Source: Facebook)
How to Report Things on Facebook (Source: Facebook)

Tumblr

Tumblr is a mircroblogging platform and social media website that allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog.
Age Requirement: You must be at least 13 years old to use Tumblr.
The Beginner’s Guide to Tumblr (Source: Mashable)
To Report a Terms of Service Violation – Email: abuse@tumblr.com

YouTube

YouTube (owned by Google) is a video-sharing website, where users can upload, view and share videos.
Age Requirement: To sign up for a Google account, U.S. residents need to be 13+. When a YouTube video has been age-restricted, a warning screen is displayed and only users who are 18 or older should watch it.
Parent’s Guide to YouTube (Source: Common Sense Media)
Staying Safe on YouTube – Google Safety Center Videos
Report a Video – YouTube Reporting and Enforcement

Pinterest

Pinterest is a pinboard-style photo-sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, and hobbies. Users can browse other user’s pinboards for images, “re-pin” images to their own pinboards, or “like” photos.
Age Requirement: You must be at least 13 years old to use Pinterest.
All About Pinterest Guide  (Source: Pinterest)

Skype

Skype is a service that allows users to communicate with peers by voice using a microphone, video by using a webcam, and instant messaging over the Internet.
Age Requirement: For the U.S., the minimum age requirement is 13+.
Video Chatting Tips for Parents (Source: Common Sense Media)
Skype Security – Protecting your online safety, security and privacy. (Source: Skype)

Google+

Google+ (pronounced and sometimes written as Google Plus) is a social networking service owned and operated by Google Inc. It is the second-largest social networking site in the world, having surpassed Twitter in January 2013. It has approximately 359 million active users.
Age Requirement: To sign up for a Google account, U.S. residents need to be 13+.
Google+ For Parents (Source: Google)
A Parent’s Guide to Google+ (Source: Connect Safely)

Vine

Vine is a mobile app owned by Twitter that enables its users to create and post video clips. Video clips created with Vine have a maximum length of 6 seconds and can be shared or embedded on social networking services such as Twitter.
Age Requirement: Users will need to confirm they are 17 years old or over before using the app.
Vine – What It Is and What Parents Need to Know (Source:YourSphere)

KikMessenger

KikMessenger is a free texting app available for iPhones, Android, Windows, and Blackberry phones. On Kik, you need to know someone’s username to start an online chat. Kik users often use Instagram to publicize their Kik username in their profiles or by tagging their photos.
Age Requirement: Kik is rated for users 17+ in the iTunes app store.
Kik – What It Is and What Parents Need to Know (Source: YourSphere)

Whisper

Whisper is a free mobile app that allows users to post anonymous thoughts using a photo from a cellphone or the Internet. Similar to Instagram, users can browse “whispers” and “like” them and or leave a comment. Anyone can post an anonymous message to the service in the form of an image macro: text overlaid onto a picture. When you open the app, you see six images. Each one has a “secret” (written in text) on the photo. You can respond to a message publicly or privately, choosing a public anonymous post or a private pseudonymous chat. Users don’t have a public identity/profile in the app. While they do have handles, there’s no way to contact them except through the messages that they post. When you open the app on a phone, you can post and see public messages, but any time you want to see an archive of your own activity, you have to enter a four-digit pin number. Posts and messages remain hidden from view without the pin number.
(Source: The Atlantic)
Age Requirement: A person must be Age 17 or over.

Ask.fm

Ask.fm is a social networking site where users can invite questions from other users on the site or from anonymous users. The site was launched on June 16, 2010. The ask.fm site has known issues regarding the lack of reporting, tracking or parental control processes. Ask.fm gives potential users the option of signing in using their Facebook or Twitter accounts. Ask.fm operates a similar friend system to Twitter: users can choose to “follow” other users. However, unlike Twitter, a user can never find out who is following them and can only know the overall number of followers he/she has.  According to webwise.ie – “It allows anyone to post anonymous comments and questions to a person’s profile and is increasingly being used as a means to communicate abusive, bullying and explicit content.”
Age Requirement – A person must be at least 13 years of age to join the Ask.com community.
Ask.fm – What It Is and What Parents Need to Know (Source: YourSphere)
Ask.fm Abuse Policy – Blocking and Reporting Abuse (Source: Ask.fm)

Creepy

With just a Twitter or Facebook ID, you can track someone’s current location. Creepy allows anyone with access to another person’s online photos to pull sensitive geotag location data, allowing them to pinpoint where the photo was taken. Just provide Creepy with the needed username and it will retrieve all the locations the user has posted photos from.
Age Requirement – You must be 14 years of age to download Creepy.

Qooh.me

This social media site allows teens to ask other users anonymous questions. This type of open access site can pose problems for teens/tweens, as users do not have to login to ask questions, there is no online moderator to check for disturbing content and adult profiles are mixed in with those of teens and children.
Age Requirement – You must be 13 years or older to use Qooh.me.

ooVoo

ooVoo is a free video, voice, and messaging app for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, supported Android smartphone or tablet. Users can have group chats with up to 12 people for free.  Teens mostly use ooVoo to hang out with their friends. Many log on after school and keep it open while doing homework. ooVoo can be used for group studying and it makes it easy for kids to receive “face to face” homework help from classmates. Users can only communicate with those on their approved contact list.
Age Requirement – A person must be at least 13 years of age to sign up for a ooVoo account.
Link to ooVoo FAQ’s  or Privacy Controls or How Can I  Manage my Child’s Account  (Source: ooVoo)

Reddit

Reddit users submit links or text/self posts, which are voted up or down by other users. Content is ranked to determine the post’s position on the front page. All the content is organized into categories known as “sub-reddits.”  Redditors can also post comments about the submission, and respond back and forth in a conversation tree of comments; the comments themselves can also be upvoted and downvoted. The forum-like interaction means your child can “talk” to anyone. Kids can access links tha lead to stories or photos on external sites. Once they register, they can vote, make self-posts, or subscribe to “subreddits” that focus on specific topics.
Age Requirement – The sign-up process for Reddit doesn’t require proof of age. Reddit’s terms of service states that their service is directed to people who are at least 13 years old or older.

Wanelo

Wanelo (wah-nee-loh) which stands for Want, Need, Love –  is an online shopping community. Users post images of and links to products, which are then bought, saved, tagged and shared by other users. When enough users tag a product, a store page is created. Users can follow stores and get updates when new products from those stores are posted. Users can tag friends and products and hashtags can be used to help products get discovered. It’s similar to Pinterest, only Wanelo gives users an option to click and purchase items instantly.
Age Requirment – You must be at least 13 to sign up for a Wanelo account.

MySpace

MySpace is a social networking service with a strong music emphasis owned by Specific Media LLC and pop music singer and actor Justin Timberlake. The June 2013 redesign combines elements from Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. The updated website includes a built-in music player that lets users stream songs as they scroll through pages. The new site also includes tools for artists to identify their most active followers. Chris Vanderhook, the COO of Specific Media, identified the new service’s target demographic as between the ages of 13 and 30, and pointed to musicians, artists, photographers and DJs, as well as “aspiring kids who want to be one of them,” as the network’s core members.
Age Requirement: You must be at least 13 years old to use MySpace

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is an application available on iOS for iPad/iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Nokia that allows users to send text messages to each other for free.
Age Requirement: The WhatsApp Service is not intended for children under age 16.

Pheed

Pheed provides users with a unified platform for sharing all forms of digital content, which includes text, photo, audio clips, voice notes, video, and live broadcast. Users can subscribe to other users’ channels and view their subscribed channels’ content in real time; they can ‘love’ or ‘heartache’ specific pheeds, hashtag and ‘pheedback,’ as well as share content from others’ channels to their own via a feature called ‘remix’ similar to a Twitter retweet.
Age Requirement: Pheed requires you to be at least 13 years old to register. Pheed’s terms of service states: If you are 13 or older but under the age of 18, you must review terms of service with your parent or guardian to make sure that you and your parent or guardian understand it.

Formspring

Formspring is a social network for asking and answering questions. Formspring allows its users to set up a profile page, follow other users and ask questions. The questions and their given responses are then published on the user’s profile page. It can help friends get to know each other in a new way, but it can also enable cyberbullying through its anonymous question feature.
Age Requirement: Formspring is rated for users 12+ in the iTunes app store.

Friendster

Founded in 2002, Friendster was used for dating, music sharing and networking. In June 2011 it relaunched as a social gaming site. It took off early in Southeast Asia and is still monumentally popular there to this day. It splits its focus between social networking and playing online games competitively. Friendster is geared toward an older crowd interested in gaming, videos and groups.In June 2011, Friendster shifted from social networking site to a social entertainment site that focuses on gaming and entertainment.
Age Requirement: According to Friendster’s help page, you should be at least thirteen (13) years old to join Friendster.

Kakao Talk

Kakao Talk is a smartphone messenger used for free calls and text messages. The app allows you to make group calls, and schedule appointments in chat rooms. Features include animated emoticons, stickers, and custom themes.
Age Requirement: According to KaKao’s Terms of Service, if you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian’s consent must be obtained to create your KAKAO account.

WeChat

WeChat is a mobile app that allows users to connect with friends across platforms.  WeChat works on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Symbian and BlackBerry devices. It supports sending voice, video, photo and text messages. You can also do group chats, or you can find new friends nearby to talk to. WeChat has features that allow users get to know more friends via “Drift Bottle,” “Shake”, and “Look Around.”
Age Requirement: WeChat has a 17 and over age restriction for downloading the app.

MessageMe

MessageMe is an iOS and Android app that offers group and individual messaging, but with a twist. Besides messages, you can also send other types of content too, such as photos, songs, videos, audio recordings and doodles.
Age Requirement: MessageMe’s Terms of Use states: If you are under 13, please do not attempt to register for MessageMe services.

ROBLOX

ROBLOX is an online virtual playground and workshop — where kids of all ages can interact, create, have fun, and learn. Each player starts by choosing an avatar and giving it an identity. They can then explore ROBLOX — interacting with others by chatting, playing games, or collaborating on creative projects. Each player is also given their own piece of undeveloped real estate along with a virtual toolbox with which to design and build anything desired. By participating and by building stuff, ROBLOX members can earn specialty badges as well as ROBLOX dollars (“ROBUX”). In turn, they can shop the online catalog to purchase avatar clothing and accessories as well as premium building materials, interactive components, and working mechanisms.
Age Requirement: Under 13 – doesn’t have access to social features and account is automatically set to privacy mode (When privacy mode is on, the player is prevented from sending or recieving free-form in-game chat. Player will also not be able to send or receive “Private Messages” to and from other players.) Users can “age up” after turning 13. This allows users to take advantage of social features when they turn 13.
ROBLOX Information for Parents (Source: ROBLOX)

Disney Club Penguin

Club Penguin is a Flash-based web browser game. Club Penguin is free to play, but most of the content is reserved for paying subscribers. Kids dress and decorate a home for their virtual penguin avatar. They also adopt and care for puffles, communicate with other kids via their penguins, and play games (Card-Jitsu or Mancala) with other penguins. Players also buy items with online “coins” that they earn playing games, and participate in other community- and game-based activities. Secret agent missions are some of the more detailed, multi-step activities on the site. Also, a community newspaper and other activities encourage online citizenship and more meaningful online dialogue and play.
Age Requirement: Club Penguin is designed for children from the ages of 6 to 14 and is particularly popular with the 7- to 9-year-old set.
Club Penguin for Parents (Source: Club Penguin)

Webkinz World

Each Webkinz stuffed animal and Webkinz accessory comes with an 8-character code. By registering this code on the Webkinz website, the customer “adopts” this pet in the virtual Webkinz World. Without the Secret Code, the user will not get access to the Webkinz world. The Webkinz World is an online play area with its own economy. The user receives money (called KinzCash) by adopting new pets, playing online games, answering general knowledge questions, and through daily activities like clicking “I love my Webkinz,”spinning the Wheel of WOW, playing Wishing Well 2, or completing jobs (minigames) available once every 8 hours. Each day, there is a “Game of the Day” that can be played for bonus KinzCash, and other bonuses are available each hour, full days on weekends and afternoons only on weekdays. With each Webkinz toy purchased, more money, rooms, and items are added to the user’s account.
Age Requirement: The Webkinz website is designed for users ages 6-13+ and is intended to include content for all ages and levels of computer skill within that range.
WebKinz Parent’s Area (Souce: Webkinz)

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for the business community. The goal of the site is to allow registered members to establish and document networks of people they know and trust professionally.
Age Requirement: You must be 14 years or older to set up a LinkedIn account. The age requirement used to be 18, it changed to 14 in August 2013.
The Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn (Source: Mashable)