WhatsApp
Messaging and calls
ℹ️ 13+ (check current terms)
The minimum age varies by region; in Europe it is 13 under the 2024 terms. Check the current terms.
⚠️ Risks
- Being added to groups with strangers, and the spread of inappropriate content or fake news.
- Scams (“Mum, I've got a new number”, “send me the code you got by mistake”) and account theft.
- Bullying in class groups and sharing photos without permission.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- Safe settings: Settings → Privacy → Groups → My contacts (or My contacts except...).
- Settings → Account → Two-step verification → turn it on and set a PIN.
- In Privacy: Profile photo, About and Last seen → My contacts; turn on Silence unknown callers.
- Never share the six-digit code that arrives by SMS.
- Block and report unknown contacts who send links or ask for money.
ℹ️ 13+ (check current terms)
Very widely used in Kosovo for family and school groups.
⚠️ Risks
- Strangers can message directly or add the child to groups and communities.
- Scam messages: “Mum, this is my new number”, requests for the 6-digit code, links to fake giveaways.
- Large class groups where photos, insults or bullying spread.
- The phone number is visible to every member of a group.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- In the privacy settings, limit who can add the child to groups and who can see the online status.
- Never give anyone the activation code that arrives by SMS or call.
- Block and report unknown numbers that send links or ask for money.
- Turn off automatic download of photos and videos from chats with strangers.
Telegram
Messaging / channels
ℹ️ Check current terms, not recommended for children
Telegram has no parental controls. Large public channels and groups have very little moderation.
⚠️ Risks
- Public groups and channels with violent or adult content, or illegal sales.
- Sharing of APKs, “cracked” games and harmful files.
- Being added to groups by strangers, and private messages from people with fake profiles.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- Safe settings: Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number → Nobody; Who can find me by my number → My Contacts.
- In Groups & Channels → Who can add me → My Contacts.
- Turn on Two-Step Verification (an extra password) in Privacy and Security.
- Don't download files (.apk, .exe, .zip) from groups or channels.
- For children, choose apps that have parental controls.
Discord
Chat / gaming communities
ℹ️ 13+ (higher in some countries, check current terms)
Minimum age under the platform's terms; some countries require a higher age. Some servers are 18+ only.
⚠️ Risks
- Public servers without enough moderation, with offensive language or adult content.
- Private messages from adults pretending to be the same age (grooming), then moving on to voice/video calls.
- Scam links (“free Nitro”) and account theft.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- Safe settings: User Settings → Privacy & Safety (Content & Social) → filter sensitive content in direct messages.
- Turn off Allow direct messages from server members, and allow friend requests only from Friends of Friends.
- Parents: use Family Center in Settings to see who your child talks to (without reading their messages).
- Turn on two-factor authentication in My Account.
- Only join servers you know (e.g. your school's, or those of friends you know in real life).
YouTube and YouTube Kids
Video
ℹ️ 13+ (YouTube); YouTube Kids for younger children, with a parent's approval
Having your own YouTube account requires 13+ under the terms. For younger children there is YouTube Kids and the supervised experience through Google Family Link.
⚠️ Risks
- Automatic recommendations that can lead to inappropriate or frightening content.
- Comments with scam links (“free Robux”) and ads.
- Watching too much because of autoplay.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- Safe settings: for young children, use YouTube Kids and choose an age group (e.g. Preschool, Younger, Older) or Approved content only.
- For older children, use a supervised account with Google Family Link and a content level suited to their age.
- Turn on Restricted Mode: Profile → Settings → General.
- Turn off autoplay and use Remind me to take a break.
- Don't tap links in comments or descriptions that promise free stuff.
Minimum age under the platform's terms. There are no dedicated parental controls.
⚠️ Risks
- Live streams with harsh language or adult content; public chats are hard to moderate.
- Children who stream themselves may accidentally reveal their home, school or location.
- Pressure to give gifts, subscriptions and “bits” with real money.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- Safe settings: Settings → Security and Privacy → block private messages (Whispers) from strangers.
- Turn on two-factor authentication.
- Don't stream live without permission and without a parent present; don't show your face, your school uniform or your bedroom window.
- Only follow age-appropriate channels, and report inappropriate content.
ℹ️ 13+ (check current terms)
Minimum age under the platform's terms; check the current terms for your country.
⚠️ Risks
- Videos and photos are uploaded to the cloud, be careful what you put there.
- Templates and AI effects can be used to change other people's faces without permission.
- A direct link to TikTok makes it easy to post quickly without thinking.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- Safe settings: don't upload videos of other people without their permission.
- Check the app's permissions for Photos and Microphone (only while using the app).
- Don't use AI effects to mock or change your friends' faces.
- Before posting, check whether the video reveals your home, school or location.
AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)
AI assistants
ℹ️ Usually 13+, with a parent's permission for under-18s (varies by platform)
Each platform has its own terms; some offer parental controls or supervised versions for children (e.g. through Google Family Link). Check the current terms.
⚠️ Risks
- Inaccurate or made-up answers that sound convincing, they can lead to mistakes in homework or to dangerous advice.
- Sharing personal data, photos or private problems with a service that stores conversations.
- Emotional dependence on AI “companions”, and using AI to copy instead of learning.
🛡️ How to make it safer
- Safe settings: use the platform's parental controls if they're offered (e.g. linking a teen's account to a parent's account), plus Family Link / Screen Time controls.
- Don't type your full name, address, school, passwords or personal photos.
- In the data settings, turn off the use of your chats for training if the platform allows it.
- Always check facts in reliable sources, and tell your teacher when you use AI for homework.
- For personal problems or difficult feelings, talk to a parent, teacher or another trusted person, not just to AI.
Ages are based on platform terms and PEGI ratings at the time of publishing and may change. A minimum age does not mean an app is suitable for every child of that age.
