Social Media
Is the Reddit App Safe? A Reddit App Review for Parents
Recommended Age
16 and up
Overview
Known as “the front page of the internet,” Reddit is a popular message board that features a vast amount of content for users to read, contribute to, and share with other people. Reddit is one of the most popular websites in the U.S., and has millions of users.
Reddit is organized by user-created boards known as “subreddits,” which can be about nearly any subject imaginable — from popular TV shows and movies to sports teams. Because there’s so much content on Reddit, a lot of it is inappropriate for kids. Here’s what parents need to know about the Reddit app.
Harmful Content 😲
Reddit is a site made by and for adults, and as such, there’s an incredible amount of inappropriate content. While there is some moderation on the app, the sheer volume of content means that almost anything can be found, including pornography, violent material, hate speech, and suicide tips.
Predation 🚨
Reddit is a site made by and for adults, and there are multiple ways for predators to interact with children on the app — including through comment replies, direct messages, and group chat rooms.
Positive Value 💙
There’s lots of fun and educational material on Reddit, but all of the dangers presented by harmful content and potential predators outweigh these benefits.
Privacy 🔒
It’s possible to have a fairly private Reddit user experience if your child doesn’t use identifying information in their username, profile, or posts.
Parental Controls ✅
Reddit has a few parental control options that allow you to toggle off adult content, block users, and more. However, these changes aren’t passcode protected, so your child could turn them back on again whenever they wish. For detailed instructions on how to set up these parental controls, you can take a look at our Reddit tech guide.
Bark also provides help for families who use Reddit. We’re here to help you keep your kid safe by allowing you to:
- Block Reddit entirely, if needed.
- Manage when your child can use Reddit throughout the day.
- Monitor posts, comments, replies, and direct messages on the app.
So, should my kid download it?
Probably not, unless they’re at least 16 — and even then, the threat of stumbling upon porn and harmful content on the Reddit app is pretty high, so make sure you talk with your child about these risks.
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