Most social media platforms are not the best place for children to hang around, some apps are worse than others. In this blog we’re going to talk about the effects of social media on children, alternative social media platforms that children should stay miles away from, and some apps that are okay for children to use.

Look out if your child is using any of these alternative social media apps. These are unfiltered social platforms, that promote freedom of speech without censorship, banning, or blocking inappropriate content. This means that people share their extremist ideas and can talk without a filter, which is not a good influence on children’s development.

Effect of Social Media Use on Children

Social media can have both beneficial and bad effects on the development of children. It can be utilized as a platform for social engagement, allowing teens to connect with their peers, share their experiences, and build a sense of belonging. Social media platforms can also aid education by making it easier to locate information.  

On the other hand, the detrimental impacts of social media on children’s development are becoming increasingly worrying. Excessive use can lead to cyberbullying, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Constant exposure to edited, idealized portrayals of other people’s life might lead to unreasonable expectations and feelings of inadequacy. Furthermore, social media’s addicting nature, with its frequent notifications and updates, may disrupt children’s sleep and attention routines. 

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in mitigating the potential negative impacts of social media. Open communication, setting up Screentime for iPhone, Android, and other smart devices, and educating children about responsible online behavior are essential strategies to foster a healthy relationship with social media and support balanced development. Additionally, promoting a mix of online and offline activities can contribute to a more well-rounded and resilient developmental experience for children. 

Unfiltered and Dangerous Social Media Platforms for Kids

These alternative social media platforms lack a proper privacy policy and don’t control the posted content. This results in people not caring about what they post, since everything is free of responsibility. If your child has one of these apps, you should take immediate action to communicate with them about the dangers and convince them to stop using the platforms. 

MeWe 

MeWe is similar to Facebook but distinguishes itself by avoiding censorship and privacy concerns, positioning itself as the anti-Facebook. Instead of relying on ads, MeWe sustains the site through premium account upgrades and add-ons to the basic free user account. With features like chats, groups, pages, and events, MeWe has reached about 15.5 million users. It’s crucial to note that MeWe has faced criticism for allowing content that may be unsafe for children. Therefore, parents should exercise caution and closely monitor their children’s use of the platform. 

Gab 

Gab is a social media platform that combines features from Facebook and YouTube. Its main social component resembles Facebook, with groups and chats, while GabTV is similar to YouTube, offering channels and subscriptions. The platform offers a privacy-focused browser called Dissenter and has its infrastructure to prevent censorship by major tech companies. Notably, Gab is exclusively accessible through its website, avoiding potential censorship or bans by Apple and Google. It’s important to note that Gab has faced criticism for allowing harmful and extremist content on its platform, raising concerns about its suitability for users, especially children. 

Parler 

Parler operates similarly to Twitter but without censoring. Parler posts, known as Parlays, have an extended character limit of 1000 characters. It can be accessed through the website or the dedicated Parler app. Parler faced a temporary shutdown when various major tech companies collaborated to remove it from online platforms. Although Parler has been rebuilt on new hosting providers and has a new app, it’s worth emphasizing that the platform’s history and potential for controversial content make it unsuitable for children. Parents should exercise caution and consider alternative platforms for a safer online environment for their children. 

GETTR 

GETTR is a social platform that is an alternative to Twitter and Facebook. GETTR’s interface has been described as very similar to Twitter’s interface. The posts can contain up to 777 characters The platform has been described as a conservative social media platform, while GETTR itself described the platform as “non-bias”. The content on the website contains racism, antisemitism, and terrorist propaganda. Users have also been flooding the platform with pornography. As of February 2022, the app has 6.5 million global downloads. 

Safer Social Media Options 

It’s important for parents to carefully review and understand the features of any social media platform designed for children. Several social media platforms cater to children’s safety by implementing strict privacy controls, content moderation, and age-appropriate features. However, parents should always check for the latest reviews and updates to ensure the continued safety of these platforms. Here are some examples: 

Facebook Messenger Kids: Developed by Facebook, this app is designed specifically for children under 13. Parents have control over their child’s contacts, and the platform adheres to strict privacy guidelines. 

BeReal: This platform promotes posting real, non-edited pictures. The user receives a notification at a random time of the day and has a 2-minute window to post their picture. These photos are deleted from the platform after 24 hours. Click on the link for a full BeReal social media platform review. 

Kidoz: Kidoz is a child-friendly content discovery platform that offers a safe environment for kids to explore curated apps, videos, and games. It’s available on various devices, including tablets and smartphones.  

Roblox: While not a traditional social media platform, Roblox is an online gaming platform that allows kids to create and play games in a controlled environment. Parents can set privacy settings and monitor their child’s interactions. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating the realm of social media for children requires a careful balance between the positive and negative aspects of these platforms. While social media can offer valuable opportunities for connection and learning, the potential pitfalls, especially for unfiltered platforms like MeWe, Gab, Parler, and BeReal, underscore the need for vigilance. These platforms, promoting freedom of speech without robust content moderation, can expose children to unsafe content and ideologies.

Parents play a pivotal role in mitigating the negative impacts of social media by fostering open communication, setting appropriate limits, and exploring safer alternatives. Safer options like Facebook Messenger Kids, Kidoz, Roblox, and Club Penguin prioritize child safety through stringent privacy controls and content moderation. As technology evolves, continuous parental involvement and awareness remain essential to ensure a secure online environment for children.