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Social media safety for children

We believe it is important to work on this aspect, since the Internet and social networks have numerous benefits for children. However, we must not forget about some of the dangers of the Internet, such as trolls or haters and the harassment they can bring, sexting or grooming, among others. That is why today we are going to talk about a few key points or actions that we can take to make children start interacting with social networks safely and with the support of their parents.

  • Define criteria for social media use as a family 

Sit down as a family and define together how social media will be used: maximum daily or weekly time, places from which they can access social networks, whether or not they can post photos, what type, etc. And make it clear what information they should not share under any circumstances, since it is for their own safety: name, age, school, home address, compromising photos or photos that may give information about their lifestyle; Also always deactivate geolocation.


  • Teach how to use it and explain the dangers of social networks

Just like when they learn to ride a bike, we first teach them how to use it and then we tell them where they can or cannot ride a bike, telling them the dangers of not doing it correctly. With social networks we must do exactly the same. We have offered more information about the dangers of social networks in previous posts.


  • Configure privacy settings

Although each social network has different privacy settings, in general they all have options to limit the visibility of profiles (make them more public or private), limit access to certain content or configure a series of filters. If we want to introduce minors to the appropriate use of social networks, our duty is to know them and learn to use these privacy settings.


  • Talk about social media

Just like when they get home from school you ask them how their class went and what they played at recess and with whom, you should also ask them what they have seen on social media, who they have interacted with, if they have had any problems and if they have seen anything that they really liked that they show you. In this way, their use will become normalised, as it is another sphere of their social environment, and the little ones will see it as something normal to tell their families what they do on social media and who they talk to.


  • Social networks have age limits  

And as a final point, we must not forget the legal aspects. Although many minors create profiles on social networks, we must not forget that each of them has a minimum age for access; it is our duty as those responsible for minors to accept these limits.

These are the minimum ages to access the main social networks:

Facebook: 14 years

Twitter: 13 years

Instagram: 13 years

Pinterest: 13 years

Snapchat: 13 years

Youtube: 13 years


  • Specific social networks for minors

To comply with the legal aspects and at the same time introduce the little ones, there are other social networks specifically for minors:


  • Youtube kids. It works the same as in its version for adults but with the possibility of configuring it with a multitude of filters and options so that each family establishes its own rules of use adapted to its little ones. Time limits on use, blocking of specific channels or videos, deactivating searches… are just some of the options it allows.
  • Clan Community. Focused mainly on the series that are broadcast on this television channel, it also offers options for learning languages, educational games, contests… facilitating the safe interaction of children in the virtual world.
  • Lego Life. For LEGO fans this social network is undoubtedly a marvel, as it allows them to personalize and customize LEGO pieces to create their profile safely and anonymously, make their own LEGO creations and share them with other users, comment on other people's creations using emoticons and much more.
  • Mundo Gaturro and Picapón. Through this social network, minors will access videos, be able to see comments or participate in games with other users of the community, always related to the characters of that platform.


As you can see, there are various options for starting to use social media from a young age. We just have to inform ourselves and dedicate some time so that children can properly cultivate their digital social sphere.