PINTEREST
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MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform where users can find and save (or “pin”) ideas for all kinds of interests and projects—like recipes, home decor, fashion, travel inspiration, workout routines, and more. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate Content While Pinterest promotes creativity and inspiration, not all content is age-appropriate. Some boards or pins may include sexualised images, diet culture, harmful beauty trends, body shaming, self-harm content, or thinly veiled adult themes. Pinterest tries to filter this, but content can slip through—especially in the fashion, "thinspo," or wellness categories. 🛡️ Filtering & Monitoring The app lacks parental controls, content filters, and effective moderation tools. This makes it difficult to shield users from harmful interactions or content. 💬 Direct Messaging Pinterest includes a private messaging feature where users can send direct messages, pins, or links. This can lead to unwanted contact from strangers, especially if your child's profile is public or includes identifying information. Some users also send spam, scams, or inappropriate links. 🚨 Online Predators and Grooming Though not a traditional chat platform, predators can still use Pinterest to comment on pins, send DMs, and follow young users, often pretending to share common interests. Public usernames and shared boards can become a point of contact. 📢 Age Verification & Account Safety Pinterest requires users to be 13+, but doesn’t verify age. Kids can easily sign up using a fake birthdate. Once signed in, they have access to all features — including sensitive topics — unless parents manually set restrictions or guide their usage. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Pinterest profiles are public by default. Anyone can view your boards, followers, and saved pins unless made private. Users may also unknowingly share personal information through their profile name, bio, or board titles. 💸 In-App Purchases & Ads While Pinterest itself doesn’t sell digital goods, it includes product links, affiliate ads, and sponsored content. Children may be encouraged to click on shopping pins that lead to external websites, sometimes unregulated or inappropriate. Influencer-style posts may promote fad diets, beauty products, or unrealistic lifestyles. 🔓 Scams, Unsafe Links & Misinformation Scam pins and phishing links are a growing concern. Some pins claim to offer "free giveaways," miracle cures, or suspicious downloads. Others may promote health misinformation, extreme diet tips, or unrealistic beauty standards. ⚠️ Algorithms and Suggestions: Pinterest's algorithms and suggestions can lead users down rabbit holes of potentially harmful content. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the platform: Familiarise yourself with Tattle Life's features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 👨👧Parental supervision: Check their interactions and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Try to stay up-to-date on Internet trends and best practices. 📢Underage Accounts: Tattle Life might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behavior less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. 💬Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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