As device use becomes more ingrained across all areas of society, social media has become the natural way for young people to communicate. Children of all ages love devices and social media is one of their top favourite ways to connect with their friends to chat and share pictures and videos – so they can feel included and part of the in-crowd.
However, the minimum age requirements for most of the mainstream social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc.) is 13. According to Ofcom’s Children and parents: media use and attitudes report [2016], 43 per cent of 8 to 11-year-olds are said to consider Facebook to be their main social media site. This means that they are at risk of being exposed to unsuitable and adult content or contact from an early age; something that surely no parent or guardian would want.
NetSupport has recently come across a really good option for younger children to learn how to interact on social media in a totally safe environment. It is a free social media chat app called GoBubble and has been designed for children under 13. It allows them to connect with other kids of their year group age in an environment that’s entirely protected.
To read more about GoBubble click here.