Safety Rating Explanation: Reddit’s hosting of explicit content and almost nonexistent parental control features make the website one that parents should prevent their children from using.
What Is Reddit?
Reddit is a social news aggregation website that allows users to post text, images, and links. The site’s content is divided into categories or communities known as “subreddits.” Users can vote posts and comments up or down, and the most popular content is displayed at the top of the feed. Users can also earn “karma” for their posts and comments, a status that reflects their standing within the community and overall contributions to Reddit.
What Type of Content Does Reddit Have?
Reddit is a massive online forum where users discuss a variety of subjects, but it is notorious for being a hub of sexually explicit and pornographic content. Despite claims of being a platform for meaningful discussions, the presence of inappropriate images, videos, and discussions is fostered by user anonymity and a lack of stringent controls.
Is My Child Safe on Reddit?
No. Although not-safe-for-work (NSFW) materials are often flagged under the site’s content policy, Reddit relies primarily on users to label such posts. Children can easily be exposed to explicit content on the site in only a few clicks. As with other platforms, Reddit’s minimum-age requirement of 13 lacks meaningful verification measures. Scams are also an ever-present risk on Reddit, including fake giveaways and catfishing schemes.
How to Control Some Settings on Reddit
- Profile Visibility Settings: In the Reddit app, go to Settings. Under “Account Settings”, toggle “Show up in search results.”
- Limit Follower Access: Restrict who can follow your child’s account by toggling “Allow people to follow you” under “Safety” in “Account Settings.”
- Set Limitations: Set limitations on viewing age-restricted content to prevent your children from accessing potentially inappropriate material by toggling “Show NSFW Content (18+)” to off.
