App Safety Tips for Parents: Your Quick Guide for Talking to Kids About the Apps They Use
Four things parents can do to make sure a social app is safe for kids.
Get your free cheat sheet now
Nearly all teens (96%) are online daily1, and almost 1 in 4 kids2 reported having a personal cell phone by age 8. The proliferation of device usage and apps targeted at young people has changed how kids develop. While this opens opportunities for learning, connection, and discovery, it also comes with risks. Not every platform is a self-contained experience. There are apps with chat features parents should know; apps where kids can talk to strangers.
Is social media safe for kids? Snapchat? What about TikTok? These are common concerns for parents navigating platform safety for their families. It all depends on how parents and their children manage their interactions with the platform. Online exploration and communities can foster belonging, discovery, and self-expression, but digital interaction also introduces vulnerabilities that perpetrators can exploit. Our research shows:
- 2 in 5 minors said they have been approached online by someone they believe was attempting “to befriend and manipulate” them.
- 1 in 5 teens reported experiencing sextortion.
- 1 in 7 victims were driven to harm themselves as a result of their experience.
- 81% of victims were threatened solely via technology.
- Social media (such as Snap, Meta, or Discord) and messaging services (such as text messaging or iMessage) are the most dominant channels used in threats.
There are lots of resources available for parents, so you can have an informed talk with your kids. We’ve put together a helpful, one-page cheatsheet that covers platform safety for families. This free resource provides practical advice on how to:
✅ Talk to your kids about their favorite platforms
✅ Familiarize yourself with platform-specific resources
✅ Discuss what happens on platforms - good and bad
✅ Build trust with ongoing dialogue
This is a ready-to-use resource on digital parenting for app-savvy kids.
What you'll learn inside
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Find reviews on popular apps kids use: Learn about all the features and interactions of online apps, and get expert advice on their pros and cons
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Specific platform guidance: Get answers to questions like “is TikTok safe for kids” by exploring app-specific guides on children’s use
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Talking to your child: Discussion guides and conversation starters about online connections, appropriate contacts, and digital safety
— Rachel R., Licensed Clinical Social Worker
FAQ
Q: Is this guide really free?
Yes! This resource is 100% free to help parents and caregivers navigate digital safety conversations.
Q: Who created this guide?
Thorn, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting children from sexual exploitation in the digital age, developed this guide with child safety experts.
Q: Is social media safe for kids?
That is the exact type of question this guide is meant to help you answer. With platform-specific resources, you’ll be able to explore topics like how kids use Discord, how to keep kids safe on Snapchat, and best practices for Roblox safety.
