[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2025\/04\/10131804\/2025-04-Blog-X-parents-guide-Are-Twitter_s-parental-controls_Hero-1.png” alt=”Teenage girl using X\/Twitter” title_text=”2025-04-%91Blog%93-X-parents-guide-Are-Twitter_s-parental-controls_Hero” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
X is one of the most well-known and influential social networking platforms, as well as being a hotbed of controversy – especially since Elon Musk’s acquisition in 2022. While public perception of the platform formerly known as Twitter (and still referred to as such in most circles) remains divided, most can agree that <\/span>X is not a suitable place for children <\/b>to spend their time online.<\/span><\/p>\n Although not as popular among kids as TikTok and Instagram, X still ranked as one of the <\/span>most-popular social media apps among children in 2024<\/b><\/a>. As the polarizing platform is clearly on kids’ radars, we, as parents, need to know if X’s safety features are enough to protect them from the dangers on the platform – and what to do if they aren’t.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While X acknowledges that the platform is <\/span>not primarily for children<\/span><\/a>, i<\/span>t allows anyone above the age of 13 to sign up and use it<\/b>. In the EU, the minimum age rises to 16. It\u2019s worth mentioning that such age restrictions are common for social media platforms, and exist to comply with data protection laws rather than to keep children safe.<\/span><\/p>\n Both Google Play and the Apple App Store have 17+ ratings for X. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n X can be a useful platform for adults to engage with like-minded individuals, share opinions, and exchange news or information. However, the platform has a dark side that poses significant risks for younger users, including but not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Given that the platform is designed for adults, it\u2019s not surprising that <\/span>X does not offer supervised parental controls like those found on TikTok and Instagram,<\/b> which offer <\/span>Family Pairing<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Teen Accounts<\/span><\/a>, respectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While not parental controls, X allows you to adjust some privacy settings that might offer some protection for young users. These are the automatic options for users under 18; however, since <\/span>the settings aren\u2019t locked or controlled by a parent account<\/b>, they require a certain amount of trust in your teen.<\/span><\/p>\n Enable \u201cProtect your posts\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n In <\/span>Settings > Privacy and safety > Audience, media and tagging<\/span><\/i>, check \u201cProtect your posts\u201d<\/span>. <\/b>This allows only approved followers to see and interact with your teen\u2019s post, and replies to public accounts are only visible to approved followers. While you\u2019re there, make sure Photo tagging is switched off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Allow message requests from \u201cNo one\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n In <\/span>Settings > Privacy and safety > Direct messages,<\/span><\/i> select \u201cAllow message requests from no one\u201d. This ensures that only users your teen follows can send them direct messages.<\/span><\/p>\n Disable \u201cDisplay media that may contain sensitive content\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n Unchecking this in <\/span>Settings > Privacy and safety > Content you see<\/span><\/i> hides inappropriate content from your child\u2019s feed. X also claims to apply enhanced filters to reduce the visibility of sensitive content in the feeds of users under 18.\u200b<\/span><\/p>\n Mute words to hide content\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n In <\/span>Settings > Privacy and safety > Mute and block<\/span><\/i>, you can mute specific words, hashtags, or topics to prevent kids from seeing harmful content related to those terms.<\/span><\/p>\n Disable discoverability<\/b><\/p>\n In <\/span>Settings > Privacy and safety > Discoverability and contacts<\/span><\/i>, ensure both options are unchecked to prevent people from finding your child on the platform through their phone number or email address.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2025\/04\/10131049\/2025-04-Blog-X-parents-guide-Are-Twitter_s-parental-controls_InsideImage.png” alt=”Father helping daughter use X\/Twitter safely” title_text=”2025-04-%91Blog%93-X-parents-guide-Are-Twitter_s-parental-controls_InsideImage” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n As well as disabling the option to see inappropriate content and muting problem words (as explained above), you can also mute, block, and report individual accounts that post material you think is unsuitable. Click the three dots at the top of the post, and you can <\/span>choose Block or Mute @account, and\/or Report post,<\/b> and follow the instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n X isn\u2019t designed for children, yet children as young as 13 in the U.S. and 16 in Europe can create an account and use the platform. While the platform does have <\/span>some<\/span><\/i> safety settings that can be adjusted to help protect young users, <\/span>X doesn’t have supervised parental controls like those found on TikTok and Instagram<\/b>. This means that a child can use X unmonitored and change the safety settings without you knowing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, you can use an<\/span> all-in-one parental control solution<\/b><\/a> like Qustodio to help keep them safe on the platform – or keep them off it.<\/span><\/p>\n You can use Qustodio to:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n X is not a safe place for children to spend their time online, and <\/span>we do not recommend the platform for anyone under 17<\/b>. A minor can easily find <\/span>pornographic<\/span><\/a> and violent content, hate speech, and <\/span>fake news<\/span><\/a>; and the lack of parental controls means they can be exposed to <\/span>predators<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>cyberbullies<\/span><\/a>. Although X\u2019s settings can be adjusted to provide some protection for young users, they are not enough to ensure their safety on the platform.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" X is one of the most well-known and influential social networking platforms, as well as being a hotbed of controversy – especially since Elon Musk’s acquisition in 2022. While public perception of the platform formerly known as Twitter (and still referred to as such in most circles) remains divided, most can agree that X is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":83861,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" As you probably know, Twitter is a popular social media platform that allows users to share their thoughts, opinions, and links with the world via short messages consisting of 140 characters or less. Twitter is open to any individual age 13 or over, and according to the site, it\u2019s a relatively safe place for your teenager to express himself and learn (or be entertained by) the expressions of others.<\/p> Is Twitter really safe, though? Should you allow your child to open or maintain an account? These are valid questions, and the answers may vary from family to family. If you are concerned about your child\u2019s current or future Twitter activity, there are some things you can do to minimize his risk and monitor his activity to prevent any harm from coming his way.<\/p> ### Talk to your child.<\/p> One of the very best ways to prevent your child from encountering danger on Twitter or any other social media network is to talk to him about safe online practices. Discuss the dangers of sharing personal information online, especially in regards to physical location. Make sure you tell your child that there are impersonators on Twitter and that they should not ever assume that someone is really who they say they are. Twitter is a platform for self-expression and sharing of ideas, but should never be used as a way to meet people or form relationships. Finally, talk to your child about the prevalence of cyberbullying and let him know that she can come to you if anything even resembling this harmful practice happens to him.<\/p> ###\u00a0Follow your child.<\/p> Not physically, of course! Following your child on Twitter will require that you create an account of your own, find your child on Twitter, and click the \u201cFollow\u201d button beside his username. This will ensure that all of his tweets show up on your Twitter timeline, so you can see exactly the kinds of things he\u2019s sharing on the social media network. You\u2019ll also have access to your child\u2019s Twitter profile which means you can view any public messages sent to him by other Twitter users. This isn\u2019t a complete safeguard, of course. Twitter does allow users to send direct messages to one another that are private in the sense that they cannot be viewed by other users\u2014like you!.<\/p> ### Use parental control software.<\/p> If a problem arises with Twitter, there are steps you can take to monitor and control your child\u2019s activity on the social media platform. Whether you have to ban Twitter due to a bad experience or are simply worried about how much time your child is spending on the site, parental control software can help you take control of the situation. Apps like Qustodio can provide you with detailed reports about your child\u2019s online activity as well as the ability to block certain sites including social media networks like Twitter.<\/p>How old do you have to be to use X\/Twitter?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Why we consider X\/Twitter unsafe for children<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Does X\/Twitter have parental controls?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How to block inappropriate content on X\/Twitter<\/b><\/h2>\n
X\/Twitter\u2019s parental controls: Qustodio\u2019s recommendation\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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