Social media
The dangers and risks of social media for young people
8 to 18-year-olds are registered on social networks
(Study by Association e-Enfance / 3018 and Caisse d’Epargne, 2023)
Are you a victim of harassment on social media? Contact 3018!
10 Safety tips and rules
1. Respecting the legal age and supporting beginners
Social networks such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat are forbidden to children under the age of 13. Since 2023, the law has required parental authorisation for children up to the age of 15.
Good to know: a bill to ban under-15s from social networks is currently being studied.
Whatever your child's age, make sure you accompany them when they register and that their age is entered correctly.
2. Set up the account(s) together
When you register for the first time, check your privacy settings:
- Who can see your publications?
- Who can add it or contact it?
- Can it be mentioned or tagged ?
A well-set up account = a better protected child.
Good to know: some social networks offer teenage accounts, so find out more!
3. Using parental controls as a safety net
Use parental control on devices (smartphone, tablet, console, computer).
This allows you to filter certain content, limit screen time and monitor your child's digital usage without intrusion.
4. Defining screen time together
From the outset, set screen time rules together that are adapted to your child's age, school needs and leisure time. This will foster their sense of responsibility and limit sources of conflict.
5. Encouraging ongoing dialogue and listening
Don't forget that confidentiality and security settings provide valuable protection, but they are not enough to prevent everything: there is no substitute for a real discussion with your child about how they use the Internet, how they feel about it and what they experience online. Remember to bring up these subjects regularly and listen without judgement.
6. Raising awareness of risks
Inform your children about the risks they may face (cyberbullying, scams, etc.), grooming, ) and explain to them the best practices to protect themselves.
7. Learning to recognise and report inappropriate behaviour
Teach them how to spot problematic content or attitudes (insults, blackmail, inappropriate requests) and how to use the reporting tools built into the platforms.
To help you, consult our cybercharometer.
8. Keeping proof in case of problems
Screenshots, messages, links: these elements are useful for understanding the situation and taking effective action, particularly if a complaint is filed.
Good to know: the App 3018 has a secure digital safe for storing evidence and taking action.
9. React: report, get help
If your child encounters inappropriate or illegal content, reassure them and, if necessary, help them to take screenshots, block and report it.
10. Contact 3018 in case of doubt or violence
At any time, you may Contact 3018, the helpline for young people who are victims of cyberbullying or digital violence. Composed of lawyers, psychologists and digital tool specialists, its team advises you on all issues related to young people's digital usage.
Trusted flagger recognised by platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, Discord, etc.), 3018 benefits from priority reporting procedures with social networks to have content removed.inappropriate content or accounts in just a few hours.
Partner of the Gendarmerie and the Police, iHe will be able to advise and assist you in your efforts.
Learn more about social networks and platforms
To be able to make your child aware of the risks associated with social media, it is necessary to fully understand how they work and their specific characteristics.
On social media, The minimum age for registration is 13 with the authorisation of a legal guardian or 15. Por the Mym and OnlyFans platforms, the required age is 18.
Azar
Created in 2014
Azar is a random real-time video chat application that lets you video-conference with strangers from all over the world.
BeReal
Creation in 2020
BeReal is a social application that encourages users to share a spontaneous photo every day, without filters or retouching, to show what they are really doing at any given moment.
The principle is to favour authenticity over prepared or staged content.
Bluesky
Established in 2019
Bluesky is a decentralised social network that allows users to publish and share content without being dependent on a single company.
It focuses on freedom of expression, transparent moderation and user control of data.
Dailymotion
Established in 2005
Dailymotion is an online video-sharing platform that allows users to watch, publish and share a variety of content, including films, music videos, news reports and creative videos.
Discord
Established in 2015
Discord is an online communication platform that allows users to chat via text, audio or video on servers (communities). It is now widely used by young people, video game communities, designers and groups of friends.
Originally very much linked to gaming, the platform has become a community social network used to organise groups around a subject, a school, a streamer, an association and so on.
Established in 2004
Facebook is an online social networking service that lets users share posts, photos, videos and messages, and interact with friends, family and groups based on shared interests. It also allows users to chat privately via its integrated messaging service (Messenger).
Established in 2010
You can share photos or videos in posts or stories. In the latter case, the content automatically disappears after 24 hours. Instagram also allows you to post longer videos using the IGTV feature. Instagram also has a private messaging service.
Kick
Creation in 2022
Kick is a live streaming platform where you can watch or broadcast videos. It is known for its more permissive moderation, which has sometimes allowed the broadcast of sensitive or shocking content.
Created in 2002
LinkedIn is a professional social network. Its aim is to help you build your professional network, facilitating contacts between members of this network.
MYM
Established in 2019
Mym, which stands for Meet your Model, is a social network based on the exclusive relationship between a creator and subscribers. By subscribing to creators for a fee, users can receive exclusive and personalised content from them. This content is primarily erotic in nature. The minimum age for registration is 18 years old.
OnlyFans
Established in 2016
OnlyFans is a subscription service for photo and video content. For a price set by the creator, users can subscribe to an account to access exclusive content and communicate with the creator via message. The content is primarily erotic. The minimum age requirement to register is 18.
Established in 2010
Pinterest is a social network based on sharing and discovering images and ideas. Users can save, organise and explore “pins” around themes such as decorating, fashion, cooking or DIY.
Established in 2005
Reddit is a community platform where users can publish, comment and vote on content (text, images, videos) in sub-forums called “subreddits”, each dedicated to a specific theme or area of interest.
Snapchat
Established in 2011
The platform allows users to send photos and videos that only appear for a few seconds. The app also allows users to create and share stories (a series of photos and/or videos) that can be viewed at will, but only for 24 hours. Finally, it is possible to send written messages on Snapchat. Unless the app is specifically configured, messages also disappear once they have been read.
Telegram
Created in 2013
Telegram is an instant messaging application that lets you send messages, photos, videos and files.
It stands out for its encryption, secret discussions and groups that can accommodate a large number of members, offering greater confidentiality and functionality than some other messaging services.
Threads
Creation in 2023
Threads is a social network launched in 2023 by Meta, linked to Instagram.
It allows you to publish and share short messages, photos or links, and interact with other users, in the same way as with X (Twitter).
Threads accounts are generally connected to the user's Instagram account.
TikTok
Established: 2018
TikTok experienced a particular boom during the first lockdown in May 2020. The platform allows users to share short videos of 15 to 60 seconds with their community.
X (formerly Twitter)
Established in 2006
X (formerly Twitter) defines itself as a microblogging platform where posts are called tweets. This social network is often used to stir up controversy. Beware of fake news and hate speech.
Viber (Rakuten viber)
Established in 2010
Viber is a free instant messaging and audio/video calling application. It lets you send messages, photos, videos and files, and communicate with individual contacts or groups anywhere in the world.
Created in 2009
WhatsApp is an instant messaging application that lets you send messages, photos, videos, voice notes and make audio or video calls over the Internet.
The application is widely used around the world, particularly for discussions between friends, class groups and family exchanges.
YouTube
Established in 2005
Created by Google, YouTube is a video sharing platform. Once uploaded, videos are visible to everyone, even those who do not have a user account. There are more than 4 billion views per day and no fewer than 1 billion active users per month.
Music videos are particularly popular on YouTube. On average, they account for 90% of the most popular videos at any given time. However, it is also very easy to come across videos that are inappropriate for children.
YUBO
Established in 2015
Yubo is a social network that stands out for its ability to create real-time video chat groups, with several features such as games and integrated emojis.
Additional information:
- Brawl Stars | multiplayer mobile game in which players compete as a team in fast-paced games, controlling different characters called brawlers.
- Fortnite | multiplayer online video game in which players compete in different modes while being able to chat, create and take part in virtual events.
- Minecraft | a video game where players can explore, build and create freely in a world of blocks, alone or in multiplayer mode.
- Roblox | a multiplayer game for virtual encounters.
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Bullying, cyberbullying, revenge porn, webcam blackmail, identity theft, gender-based and sexual violence, exposure to violent and pornographic content, etc., and all issues related to usage (video games, parental controls, account settings, overexposure to screens).
