In a recent study reviewing over 100 popular Google Play apps aimed at kids under 5, researchers found numerous ad types classified as “manipulative,” “deceptive,” and “disruptive”. With the children’s app space being referred to as the “Wild West”, parents might not realize that apps geared toward young children are “littered with ads”. Kate Eshleman, PsyD, Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus Ads are designed to manipulate kidsĮven if kids use pared-down versions of adult apps, they can still be hit with targeted advertising and fall prey to data collection schemes-just like everyone else. Ī recent poll showed that 50% of 10-12s and 33% of 7-9s use social media apps. The American Psychological Association explains that a developing brain does not process social media “likes” and comments in the same way an adult brain does because adults have a “fixed sense of self”. We cannot trust social media to protect our children but rather should plan on them being exploited.Īlthough most social media apps require users to be at least 13 years old, younger kids are not deterred from using them. Even maturity is not always a good indicator of readiness. Knowing about these issues doesn’t inspire confidence that our children can be kept safe. Social media companies have consistently shown systemic disregard for privacy and security protections. Misleading and inadequate social media privacy controls are difficult to combat when parents are also dealing with limited time, insufficient access, or few resources at their disposal.

This puts all the responsibility back onto parents, who can’t be everywhere 24/7 to oversee or protect their children from online harm. Parents can’t be everywhere all the time to protect their kids. When settings were put to the test by researchers, all age groups could easily reach inappropriate or harmful content. They don’t help protect kids.Ĭhildren may lie about their age to use the apps or use a family member’s account, making it hard to protect them from objectionable content. Many social media apps include age ratings, but they are arbitrary, under-enforced by platforms, and misleading parents regarding the safety they can expect.

Parental Controls on Social Media Do Not Work

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