X
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MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? X is a social media platform where people share short posts (called “posts,” previously “tweets”) that can include text, images, videos, and links. Users can follow others to see their updates in a personalised feed and can reply, repost, or like content. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. 👤 Age Requirements X is not designed specifically for children, but young people aged 13 and over can create accounts. The platform automatically removes accounts that do not meet the minimum age requirement. 🛡️ Default Protections for Minors (13–17) Accounts identified as belonging to minors are given extra protections. Their posts are set to protected by default, meaning only approved followers can see their content and they must approve new follow requests. Their posts are not visible in public searches. 💬 Messaging & Interaction Controls Direct messages for minors are limited to people they follow, helping reduce unwanted contact. Users can also control who can reply to their posts and can change these settings at any time. 📍 Privacy Safeguards Precise location sharing is disabled for minors. They also do not receive personalised advertising, and ads are limited to reduce exposure to age-inappropriate content. ⚠️ Content Restrictions X applies limits to recommendations to reduce exposure to potentially harmful material. Known minors are restricted from accessing certain sensitive or adult content and can choose to only see posts from accounts they follow. 🚫 Blocking, Muting & Reporting Users can block or mute accounts to control what they see. X provides reporting tools, including a way to report accounts suspected to be under 13. 🧠 Mental Health & Harm Prevention X has policies prohibiting content that promotes suicide or self-harm. When users search for related terms, prompts encourage them to seek help. 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate Content Children and teenagers using X may encounter content that is not suitable for their age. Because many accounts and conversations are public, young users can be exposed to explicit language, sexual content, graphic images, or discussions about sensitive topics such as violence or self-harm. Trending topics and algorithm-driven recommendations can sometimes surface upsetting or mature material unexpectedly. Even if a child does not actively search for this content, it may appear in replies, comments, or reposts. 🚨 Exposure to Sexualised Promotion & Subscription Content Young people using X may encounter posts from adult content creators who promote subscription platforms such as OnlyFans. These accounts sometimes share sexualised images, suggestive videos, or explicit language to attract subscribers, and this content can appear in replies, trending topics, or recommended posts even if a child is not searching for it. Because much of this promotion is public and widely shared, young users may be exposed to pornography-style material unexpectedly. This can be confusing or upsetting, particularly for younger teens, and may normalise adult content in spaces they use for social interaction. 🔐 Privacy Concerns X accounts are often public by default, meaning posts, photos, and personal opinions can be visible to anyone online. Young people may not fully understand how widely their information can be shared or how permanent online posts can be. Location clues, school details, or personal photos can unintentionally reveal sensitive information. There is also a risk of strangers viewing profiles or saving shared content. Adjusting privacy settings and limiting what is shared can help reduce these risks. 🧑💻 Online Predators & Grooming As with many social platforms, there is a risk that adults with harmful intentions may attempt to contact young users through replies or direct messages. Grooming can begin with friendly conversations, compliments, or shared interests before gradually building trust and encouraging secrecy. Children may not always recognise these warning signs. It is important for parents to encourage open communication, remind young people not to engage with strangers online, and ensure they know how to block and report suspicious accounts. |
SAFETY TIPS TO CONSIDER:
👨👩👧 Parental Controls - Parental controls on X are tools designed to help parents and guardians manage how children under 16 use the platform, particularly their exposure to video content and advertising. Parents must have their own X account and request controls, with X verifying the relationship before settings are applied. Available controls include restricting who can view or share videos, filtering content based on language or metadata, and setting daily time limits. Both the parent and child are notified when controls are set up, changed, or removed, and parents must provide documentation to confirm identity and guardianship. Set parental controls here. 📲 Understand the app - Familiarise yourself with the platforms 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. 👥 Managing Friend Requests - Encourage your child to only accept friend requests from people they know and trust in real life. Remind them that “friends of friends” online may still be strangers, and mutual connections do not automatically make someone safe. 📷 Webcam Safety - Talk to your child about covering their webcam when it’s not in use. Help them understand the importance of being aware of what’s visible in the background during video calls, as personal items or surroundings can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trusting Their Instincts - Reassure your child that if something feels uncomfortable, they should leave the chat immediately. Encourage them not to engage with anyone who seems suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate, and to tell a trusted adult. 🖥️ Keeping Devices in Shared Spaces - Where possible, keep internet-connected devices in shared areas such as living rooms or kitchens rather than bedrooms. This can help reduce risky behaviour and makes it easier to supervise online activity naturally. 🚨 Recognising Warning Signs - Be aware of changes in your child’s behaviour, such as increased anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These may indicate that something concerning has happened online. 💬 Keeping Communication Open - Have regular, open conversations about online safety, including topics such as bullying, grooming, sexual or criminal exploitation, body image pressures, and how to report concerns or seek support. Creating a safe space for discussion helps children feel comfortable coming to you if something goes wrong. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you see suspected child sexual abuse content online, report it to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which helps remove illegal images from the internet. If you’re worried about online sexual exploitation or abuse, you can make a report to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) - a UK law enforcement team dedicated to protecting children and young people online. 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 Factsheets for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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