[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” min_height=”65px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” 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_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px||-80px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” 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=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”2540.8px” custom_margin=”48px|auto|48px|auto|true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”90px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Just a few days after its release, Instagram Threads hit a record number of downloads – in fact, the day after launch, Threads had already managed to gain 30 million signups, despite it not being available in every country worldwide. <\/span>The hype is real surrounding Instagram\u2019s latest offering<\/b>, mostly because of its similarity to text-based network Twitter. But if you have a teen keen to ride the latest social media wave, you probably only have one thing in mind:<\/span> is Threads safe for children<\/b>, <\/span>and what should my teen know<\/b> before they download it? <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Talking about Threads is difficult without bringing up Twitter, but seeing as it\u2019s the comparison everyone else is making, we\u2019ll follow suit, too. Speaking of suits, the similarities have not gone unnoticed at Twitter, and its lawyers have already <\/span>threatened legal action against Threads<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Threads behaves very similarly to other text-focused social media apps. <\/span>It\u2019s a space to microblog, or upload short, text-based posts<\/b>, comment on what other people are posting, and repost existing messages – or should that be \u201crethread\u201d? Threads posts are limited to 500 characters, and you can include links, photos, or short videos up to 5 minutes long.<\/span><\/p>\n So what\u2019s the difference between Threads and Twitter? In theory, not much, but in practice, <\/span>the app has Instagram\u2019s slightly more modern, fun look-and-feel<\/b>. The huge name behind Threads also sets it way ahead of would-be Twitter competitors such as Mastodon, where many Twitter users jumped ship to after Musk\u2019s buy-out in late 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Threads does share some similarities with Twitter, but there are also things that make Meta\u2019s new offering different.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Features of Threads:<\/b><\/p>\n Finally, because Threads is connected to your Instagram, <\/span>there\u2019s a ready-made follower base to interact with<\/b>. Potentially, this also could make the app more of a \u201cfriendship-focused\u201d platform, compared to Twitter, which has traditionally been more about news, celebrity, and the latest opinion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In Gen Z world, Instagram has not been as popular as <\/span>other social media platforms like TikTok<\/span><\/a> for a while now, but <\/span>Meta\u2019s latest launch could convert some of those reluctant to use Twitter<\/b>, and get them \u201cthreading\u201d in no time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As with Instagram, <\/span>users must be at least 13 years old to create an account in the US<\/b>. In other countries, this age can vary. In Spain, for example, the minimum age to use Instagram is 14, so parents should check through the Terms of Use in their own country before letting their child create an account.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the minimum age requirement, <\/span>many parents report that their children are using Instagram under the age of 13<\/b> – which, as all you need is an Instagram profile to set up Threads, means children could easily be using the new app. A <\/span>2022 report from Ofcom<\/span><\/a>, the UK\u2019s communications regulator, showed that 1 in 3 children aged 5-7 had their own social media profile, rising to 60% of kids aged 8-11. Because it\u2019s so easy to get around age requirements, <\/span>families need to be aware of the social media profiles their children have<\/b>, and whether the apps they\u2019re using are safe for younger kids to use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the bigger red flags in terms of safety for Threads was the black hole of coverage in the European Union, right at the moment of release. While Instagram is not pointing the finger at the EU\u2019s regulatory laws, it\u2019s likely that these are holding up the launch there – and could even <\/span>prohibit the app from ever being available<\/span><\/a> in the region. <\/span>The EU Digital Markets Act prohibits companies like Instagram from mixing data<\/b> collected from Meta\u2019s overall portfolio of apps, including Threads, Instagram, and Facebook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Data concerns for social media apps are nothing new, and parents should certainly be aware of privacy risks before allowing children to download new social platforms. For Instagram\u2019s parent company, Meta, tracking and profiling users converts to cash, by compiling user data in order to better understand their interests, keep tight hold of their attention, and sell, sell, sell, through personalized ads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2023\/07\/11125910\/Threads-Safety-Guide_InsideImage.png” alt=”is instagram threads safe for teens” title_text=”Threads-Safety Guide_InsideImage” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”17px” header_3_font_size_tablet=”17px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n For children and teens, it\u2019s not just data collection that poses a risk. On Threads, <\/span>teens can be exposed to inappropriate content<\/b>, connect with strangers around the world, and – if Threads proves to be anything like Twitter – be on the receiving end of <\/span>threats, cyberbullying, and hate speech<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Other <\/span>internet phenomenons such as doxxing<\/span><\/a> are part of the risk of having a social media profile. When someone is doxxed, this means their personal data is made public online. For example, <\/span>a teen\u2019s full name and address, and where they go to school could be posted on Threads for anyone to find<\/b>. This could be used to bully, harass, and intimidate online, or even be used to track them down offline. It\u2019s important that young people and teens understand these risks, and <\/span>keep personal information off all social networks <\/b>they have access to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”17px” header_3_font_size_tablet=”17px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Threads uses <\/span>Instagram\u2019s parental supervision<\/span><\/a>, which helps parents of teens aged 13-17 manage their accounts. <\/span>If you have supervision already set up for your child\u2019s Instagram, it will automatically be applied to Threads<\/b>, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With supervision, parents can:<\/b><\/p>\n While these tools allow parents to monitor their child\u2019s Instagram and Threads use, <\/span>they can be turned off at any time as s<\/b>upervision isn\u2019t locked by a passcode. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If your child is under 16, their profile is automatically set to private, <\/span>but keep in mind that this can also be disabled at any time, meaning anyone will have access to their profile and feed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Because the Threads app is so new, it\u2019s difficult to tell how dangerous and toxic the platform could prove to be for children and teens. Twitter, for example, is full of <\/span>problematic content such as porn<\/span><\/a>, and is notorious for users being relatively aggressive and hostile in their responses to others. Time will tell if these same problems carry over to Threads, but it\u2019s certainly a possibility, given the internet\u2019s ability to start an argument over even the most innocent of topics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Instagram Threads? <\/b><\/h2>\n
What else can you do on Threads? <\/b><\/h2>\n
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How old do you need to be to use Threads? <\/b><\/h2>\n
Is Threads safe? <\/b><\/h2>\n
What are the risks of Threads for teens?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Does Threads have parental controls?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Qustodio\u2019s final recommendation for Threads\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n