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. The hype is real surrounding Instagram’s latest offering, 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: is Threads safe for children, and what should my teen know before they download it?
What is Instagram Threads?
Talking about Threads is difficult without bringing up Twitter, but seeing as it’s the comparison everyone else is making, we’ll follow suit, too. Speaking of suits, the similarities have not gone unnoticed at Twitter, and its lawyers have already threatened legal action against Threads.
Threads behaves very similarly to other text-focused social media apps. It’s a space to microblog, or upload short, text-based posts, comment on what other people are posting, and repost existing messages – or should that be “rethread”? Threads posts are limited to 500 characters, and you can include links, photos, or short videos up to 5 minutes long.
So what’s the difference between Threads and Twitter? In theory, not much, but in practice, the app has Instagram’s slightly more modern, fun look-and-feel. 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’s buy-out in late 2022.
What else can you do on Threads?
Threads does share some similarities with Twitter, but there are also things that make Meta’s new offering different.
Features of Threads:
- The feed is not chronological (like Instagram itself, where users are served content based on an algorithm)
- The platform is mobile-only
- You can’t search for conversations or trending topics: the search bar only allows you to look for users to follow
- Users can’t DM each other
- Hashtags, a popular feature on many social networks, including Instagram, are missing from the Threads app
- Threads posts can be easily shared on Instagram stories
Finally, because Threads is connected to your Instagram, there’s a ready-made follower base to interact with. Potentially, this also could make the app more of a “friendship-focused” platform, compared to Twitter, which has traditionally been more about news, celebrity, and the latest opinion.
In Gen Z world, Instagram has not been as popular as other social media platforms like TikTok for a while now, but Meta’s latest launch could convert some of those reluctant to use Twitter, and get them “threading” in no time.
How old do you need to be to use Threads?
As with Instagram, users must be at least 13 years old to create an account in the US. 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.
Despite the minimum age requirement, many parents report that their children are using Instagram under the age of 13 – which, as all you need is an Instagram profile to set up Threads, means children could easily be using the new app. A 2022 report from Ofcom, the UK’s 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’s so easy to get around age requirements, families need to be aware of the social media profiles their children have, and whether the apps they’re using are safe for younger kids to use.
Is Threads safe?
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’s regulatory laws, it’s likely that these are holding up the launch there – and could even prohibit the app from ever being available in the region. The EU Digital Markets Act prohibits companies like Instagram from mixing data collected from Meta’s overall portfolio of apps, including Threads, Instagram, and Facebook.
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’s 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.
What are the risks of Threads for teens?
For children and teens, it’s not just data collection that poses a risk. On Threads, teens can be exposed to inappropriate content, connect with strangers around the world, and – if Threads proves to be anything like Twitter – be on the receiving end of threats, cyberbullying, and hate speech.
Other internet phenomenons such as doxxing 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, a teen’s full name and address, and where they go to school could be posted on Threads for anyone to find. This could be used to bully, harass, and intimidate online, or even be used to track them down offline. It’s important that young people and teens understand these risks, and keep personal information off all social networks they have access to.
Does Threads have parental controls?
Threads uses Instagram’s parental supervision, which helps parents of teens aged 13-17 manage their accounts. If you have supervision already set up for your child’s Instagram, it will automatically be applied to Threads, too.
With supervision, parents can:
- Check time spent on Threads
- Set daily limits
- Program scheduled breaks
- See who children are following and their followers
- Adjust privacy settings
- Control exposure to sensitive content
- See who your child has blocked
While these tools allow parents to monitor their child’s Instagram and Threads use, they can be turned off at any time as supervision isn’t locked by a passcode.
If your child is under 16, their profile is automatically set to private, but keep in mind that this can also be disabled at any time, meaning anyone will have access to their profile and feed.
Qustodio’s final recommendation for Threads
Because the Threads app is so new, it’s difficult to tell how dangerous and toxic the platform could prove to be for children and teens. Twitter, for example, is full of problematic content such as porn, 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’s certainly a possibility, given the internet’s ability to start an argument over even the most innocent of topics.
Instagram’s age limit is set in place for a reason, and your child shouldn’t be active on social media until they’re ready, so while 13 might be the minimum age set by the company, it’s up to you to decide if your teen is mature and responsible enough to deal with the implications of social media. If you think your teen is prepared to use Threads, regularly talk with them about how they’re using the platform, the kind of content they’re interested in, and how they should react if faced with anything that makes them uncomfortable or upset.
By using tools to keep an eye on their digital wellbeing, and engaging in regular conversations about social media and what it means for your teen, you’ll be giving your teen the support they need to navigate social media, while also setting them up healthy habits they can carry forward in the years to come.
