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Safety

Safe Social Media Apps for Kids

Nabeela Yaseen
01/03/2023
11 minutes of reading
Nabeela has a Master in Business Administration and certificate in Content Marketing from HubSpot Academy. As an author, she strives to create content that is not only helpful and informative, but also entertaining.
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Social networking can be an incredible tool for children to keep in touch with friends and family, stay informed, play games, and even express themselves. However, there are a lot of potential risks associated with its use. For children under the age of 12, parents must select a safe social media app that provides befitting content for their child’s development and protects them from any inappropriate content that they might be exposed to, and make sure we as parents have adequate control over what our children view or share online.

Want to avoid dangerous apps and learn which social media applications are best and safest for kids? Read on as we explore some of the top picks.

Contents:

Kid-Friendly Apps List

Andrey Arkusha/Shutterstock.com

Ensuring a safe environment when it comes to children using these apps is no small feat, but certain key features can help. Parents should look for age-appropriate content and make sure the app has strict privacy policies. Other important factors include audit settings that allow parents to screen all posts before they are shared.

To identify the right social networking sites and social media applications for children, we looked into various elements such as benefits and drawbacks, pricing info, device compatibility, and popularity. These factors helped us find a great set of safe apps that are ideal for kids. Read on to find out more about our top picks.

PopJam (13 and Under)

Credit: popjam.com

PopJam is a vibrant community composed of creative individuals, passionate gamers, and active groups. Get connected with like-minded people who share similar interests—From Overlook Bay to Roblox tips. Kids can join groups and make new friends and explore a world where everyone is welcome in PopJam’s digital hangout space.

The best feature of the Popjam app is the secure usage that it offers, particularly for children. The social media app is moderated and fully complies with digital privacy laws, including COPPA and GDPR.

  • Price: Free
  • Devices: Android, iPad, and iPhone
  • Total Number of Users: 1 Million

Pros:

  • Only age-appropriate content is permitted by PopJam.
  • The app allows kids to post only between 6 am and 11 pm.
  • No direct messaging.
  • Selfies are prohibited.
  • Offensive remarks and content are blocked.
  • PopJam promotes imagination and creativity.

Cons:

  • Users can report those who have made vulgar or inappropriate comments.
  • Difficulties with age verification—people of any age can sign up for an account.
  • User-generated content is moderated, but offensive material may occasionally appear.
  • Children may become fixated on gaining followers.

Parents need to know: Constant monitoring of their kid’s activity is essential with this app. To ensure your children’s privacy, read the developer’s policy. It outlines how their data will be collected or shared and what decisions you can make in regard to this information.

Azoomee (6 and above)

Credit: apkpure.com

The Azoomee app from Tinizine Ltd. is an exciting social media network for kids between the ages of 6 and 12. With a wide selection of engaging content, including inspiring TV shows, action-packed games, and creative activities, it’s easy to see why Azoomee has become such a popular choice among parents who want to give their children access to quality entertainment. There are various different videos, games, and activities available to explore within the app.

  • Price: Free to try and then $4.99 per month
  • Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android
  • Total Number of Users: 5 devices at a time with a premium subscription

Pros:

  • Free 7 days trial.
  • Easy to download and set up a profile.
  • NSPCC certified.

Cons:

  • Not 100% free.
  • Cannot download any media or games.
  • Does not work offline.

Parents need to know: It’s critical to have open conversations with your children about internet safety. Sharing their personal information on Azoomee can be risky—make sure they understand why names, addresses, and other confidential details should remain off the platform.

Messenger Kids (6–12 years)

Credit: axios.com

The Messenger Kids app is the perfect way for parents to stay in control of their children’s communication. This innovative social media platform allows kids to video chat, message, and collaborate with friends and family while ensuring that the content they see and access is age-appropriate. The app also includes a quiet mode feature which lets parents easily pause all incoming social notifications.

  • Price: Free
  • Devices: Android, iPad, and iPhone
  • Total Number of Users: 1.4 Million

Pros:

  • Controlled by parents.
  • Safe playground to learn about digital citizenship with parents.
  • Data is deleted with account deactivation.
  • History can be reviewed.
  • Contacts can be blocked.

Cons:

  • Inappropriate language, photos, or screenshots can’t be controlled.
  • Some data about the child needs to be collected.
  • Filters/games can distract children from talking.
  • A parent needs a Facebook account.

Parents need to know: Parents can give permission for a teacher to add their kids to an interactive group chat with other students. Messenger Kids offers this feature to facilitate communication within classrooms.

ChatFOSS (14 and above)

Credit: apkpure.com

With ChatFOSS, kids can enjoy the benefits of communicating online and not worry about interacting with strangers. Parents need only set up a child’s account and provide parental support for safe usage—then, kiddos are ready to go!

With its iPhone compatibility, ChatFOSS allows young people freedom while ensuring they will never have a conversation that’s out of bounds: all conversations remain securely between just them and their buddies.

  • Price: Free
  • Devices: iPhone
  • Total Number of Users: 1.8 Million

Pros:

  • Secure environment for all, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind to younger kids.
  • Parents stay in the loop and safeguard their child’s online interactions by offering consent or being notified.
  • You will need help finding or viewing who your other contacts are. Everything remains confidential.

Cons:

  • Parental involvement is vital. Besides children, young adults also cannot sign up for an account.
  • Children may become fixated on chatting and messaging.

Parents need to know: Every time a child makes a new buddy on the ChatFOSS app, parents are either notified or need to provide their permission. Once a friendship has been formed, kids can talk to one other privately, and in the event of a problem, parents can view all of the child’s communication history and reset the child’s password.

iTwixie (12 and above)

Credit: tracxn.com

iTwixie.com is the ultimate hangout for young girls looking to have fun, build their self-esteem and connect with like-minded peers without risking their safety! This social network provides age-appropriate activities while ensuring complete moderation of content & personal information—so tweens can stay safe but still enjoy a great online experience.

  • Price: Free
  • Devices: Android, iPad, and iPhone
  • Total Number of Users: 10 Million

Pros:

  • It provides original theme tunes and an up-to-date Top Ten Tween Female Hit List maintained by iTwixie Tweens.
  • Opportunities for attention and self-expression. Girls can vote for contest winners, post, express themselves, meet girls from all around the world, and display their own ideas.

Cons:

  • iTwixie ranks 43rd among 106 active competitors.