App Features + Controls

Welcome to Social Media 101!

Learn how the apps work, what controls you have as a parent, and how to set your child up for a safe experience online.

Getting Started

Every app and phone has different settings. Browse by app and operating system: Guide to Parental Controls.

Federal law restricts most social media to users aged 13 and older. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy advises that children stay off social media until age 16. While many experts say to wait as long as possible, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Get the guide to determine if your child is ready.

Parents can activate privacy settings on both Android and Apple phones that restrict access to app downloads, even for phones using family app sharing. Learn how: Apple / Android

Most experts recommend “trust, but validate” when it comes to kids’ online activity. Some families set rules that parents need to be “friends” with their children on social, while others set parental controls in the apps. Use this guide to learn what strategies are out there, and pick a combination that works for your family.

App Guides

Parental Control Guides