New social media platforms are constantly popping up, and it’s hard to track which ones are safe and appropriate for kids.

We give you a rundown of the newest social media platforms and tips on how to keep your kids safe online.

TikTok

TikTok is an app that allows people to share short videos. The app is incredibly popular with young people who lip-sync to songs and audio samples or dance to popular songs.

TikTok is easy to use – download the app and start browsing videos. You can like, comment on, or share videos you enjoy and follow other users to see their new videos in your feed.

Safety Concerns

While TikTok is a popular platform for expressing yourself, there are some safety concerns for using the app.

TikTok collects user data, including location, contacts, and browsing habits. This information could be sold to advertisers or used to target ads at individual users.

In addition, there is also a risk that children could be exposed to inappropriate content on the platform. TikTok has a minimum age limit of 13, but there is no way to verify that users are telling the truth about their age.

Discord

Social media platforms like Discord have become increasingly popular in recent years due in part to their ease of use and wide range of features. 

Discord is a social media platform that allows users to communicate with each other in real time. It is similar to other platforms such as Skype and WhatsApp, except it has some unique features that make it stand out.

For example, Discord supports server-based chat rooms used for gaming, discussion groups, or general chatting.

In addition, Discord also offers voice chat, making it a great choice for gamers or businesses that need to hold conference calls.

Safety Concerns

One of the most common dangers is cyberbullying. Due to the anonymous nature of the platform, users can say hurtful things without consequence.

Another concern is inappropriate content. While Discord does have some filters in place, there is still a risk that users will come across offensive material.

Twitch

Twitch is a social media platform where gamers live-stream their gameplay while chatting in real-time with viewers.

Twitch also has a dedicated following of fans who enjoy watching live streams of their favorite games and interacting with the gamers.

To use Twitch, create an account and download the Twitch app. Once you have done this, you can begin watching live streams or broadcasting your gameplay.

Safety Concerns

Twitch is especially popular with gamers, but anyone can join and stream whatever they like. This streaming feature creates a risk that predators could be watching and targeting vulnerable users.

There have also been cases of cyberbullying and harassment on the platform. In addition, some of the ads on Twitch can be sexually explicit, which may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Youth Safety on Social Media

Here are some tips to help keep your kids safe online:

1. Teach your kids about internet safety. Including cyberbullying, stranger danger, and how to protect their personal information.
2. Help your kids create strong passwords and teach them not to share their passwords with anyone.
3. Encourage your kids to add people they know in real life on social media platforms.
4. Keep the lines of communication open with your kids. Make them feel comfortable coming to you with questions or concerns about their online activity.

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