What Social Media Is Safe for 12-Year-Olds? Here's the Truth
Social Media for Tweens: What Should You Know?
When you’re 12, social media feels like the ultimate gateway to the world. Honestly, I remember when I was around that age—everything seemed to happen online. The thought of connecting with friends and discovering new interests through Instagram, TikTok, or even YouTube was super tempting. But, wait—what social media is actually safe for 12-year-olds? Well, let’s talk about it because there’s a lot to consider.
First, it’s not just about whether a platform is fun; it’s about how much time you spend on it, how safe it is, and what kind of content you’re exposed to. Honestly, I didn’t always make the best choices when I was younger, and looking back, I wish I’d had more guidance. So, let’s go through some of the most popular social media platforms that are okay for kids, and which ones you might want to avoid or be cautious about.
Safe Social Media Platforms for 12-Year-Olds
There are definitely some platforms that are better suited for younger users than others. Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular choices and see which ones might be a good fit for a 12-year-old like you or your child.
Instagram: Fun, but Keep an Eye on It
Instagram is often the first social platform many 12-year-olds start using. You can post pictures, videos, and follow your friends, celebrities, or even influencers. Honestly, it’s so easy to get lost in Instagram for hours, scrolling through feeds, liking posts, and looking at stories.
But, here’s the catch: Instagram is designed for users who are 13 or older. It’s not strictly a “kids” platform, and there’s a reason for that. If your kid is just starting out, it's important to keep the account private, and you should always monitor who they’re interacting with.
I had a chat with my friend Sarah the other day, and her daughter started using Instagram when she was 12. She was really into art and fashion, so it seemed like a fun way for her to share her creations. However, Sarah admitted that they had to set clear boundaries about who could follow her daughter and what she could post. And to be honest, it's those boundaries that matter the most!
YouTube: A Goldmine of Content, But Stay Careful
Okay, who doesn’t love YouTube, right? It’s like a never-ending treasure trove of videos, tutorials, and entertainment. For 12-year-olds, YouTube can be an incredible place to learn new things, whether it’s about gaming, art, science, or even makeup. But, honestly, there’s a downside. Not everything on YouTube is appropriate for kids.
That said, YouTube Kids is an option that I would recommend for 12-year-olds. It’s designed with child-friendly content in mind, and it’s much safer than the regular version of YouTube. The only downside? Some of the videos on YouTube Kids can be pretty repetitive or boring, but hey, it’s a safer option.
TikTok: Super Popular, But Proceed with Caution
TikTok is like the "cool" app for anyone under 20. You create and share short videos—usually with trending music—and interact with friends or strangers. While it's definitely fun, I’d be cautious about a 12-year-old getting into TikTok without adult supervision.
Here's the thing: there’s a lot of creativity on TikTok, but it’s also easy to get sucked into trends or stumble across inappropriate content. Actually, I know a kid who ended up seeing a video that made them uncomfortable (it wasn’t even anything that bad, but it wasn’t exactly something they should have seen). To avoid this, TikTok offers a “Family Pairing” feature that allows parents to manage their child’s account and control settings like screen time, who can comment on their videos, and what content they’re allowed to see.
So, yeah, TikTok can be a lot of fun, but make sure to have those conversations about privacy and safety, especially since it’s designed for users who are 13 and older.
Social Media Safety Tips for 12-Year-Olds
Even with the right platforms, there are still some important rules to follow for keeping your social media experience as safe as possible. I know it’s tempting to dive in headfirst, but trust me, a little caution can go a long way.
Privacy Settings Matter
One of the first things to do is to set all privacy settings to “private” across all platforms. This ensures that only people you know (or parents approve of) can see your posts and interact with you. I can’t stress this enough—privacy is a big deal.
Monitor Screen Time
You know how easy it is to spend hours online, right? Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s really easy to lose track of time while scrolling or watching videos. A little screen time limit can go a long way. Setting a timer or using the screen time management features on most phones is a good idea.
Talk About Online Friendships
We’ve all heard about the dangers of talking to strangers online, but did you know it’s also important to think about how much you trust people you already know? A lot of my friends have had issues with cyberbullying and unwanted attention on social media, and most of the time, it started with “friendly” interactions that went wrong. It’s key to have ongoing conversations with your child about online friendships, too.
Platforms to Avoid for 12-Year-Olds
Well, not all social media is created equal, and some platforms are better avoided by 12-year-olds.
Snapchat
I’ve heard a lot about Snapchat—lots of people love it, and I get the appeal of sending disappearing messages. But, here’s the thing: Snapchat has a lot of features that may not be suitable for younger users. From the "stories" feature to the ability to send photos and videos that disappear, it can get tricky. Plus, the app is rated for users 13 and older. It's best to stay clear of it until your teen is a little older.
Okay, I’m just going to say it: Facebook feels kind of outdated now. Most people I know, including my 12-year-old cousin, find it pretty boring. But, more importantly, Facebook’s privacy settings have come under fire over the years, and it’s just not the safest place for younger kids to hang out. So, yeah—avoid Facebook for now.
Conclusion: Social Media Can Be Fun, But Safety Comes First
Social media can be a blast for 12-year-olds, but it’s all about choosing the right platforms and setting strong boundaries. I mean, I get it—it’s so tempting to jump into the world of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, especially when everyone around you is doing it. But just take a moment to talk about the safety side of things with your parents or guardians before you dive in.
At the end of the day, you want to enjoy social media, not be overwhelmed or worried about what’s happening online. Be cautious, have fun, and make sure you’re keeping things private and safe! Trust me, it’s worth it.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.