The kids' software directory

Social apps and messaging

The social and messaging apps kids use, with each one's minimum age, teen defaults and supervision tools.

20 researched
1 to know about
44 more on G2, not yet researched

Researched by Peabody

Facts from each maker's own pages (terms, pricing, privacy), with our one-line take. A to Z; we rank nothing until we have tried it.

Desk researchFreeNo ads
Apple Messages and FaceTime (Communication Safety)
Apple · ages any age with a parent-made child account; teens 13-17
Worth turning on for any child with an iPhone or iPad; pair it with contact limits for younger kids.
Desk researchFree
BeReal
BeReal SAS · ages 13+
A lower-pressure social app for teens 13+ with real-life friends; younger kids should wait.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Discord (Family Center, teen-by-default)
Discord Inc. · ages 13+
Workable for teens 13+ who mainly chat with real-life friends, with Family Center on; too open for younger children.
Desk researchFree
Instagram (Teen Accounts)
Meta · ages 13+
For teens 13+ only with supervision set up in Family Center; parents should not rely on Teen Accounts alone.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Kinzoo Messenger
Kinzoo · ages young kids to tweens, on a parent-made account
A good first messenger for under-13s whose friends will also join; check the in-app store settings.
Desk researchFree
Lemon8
TikTok USDS Joint Venture (US) · ages 13+
No reason for kids under 13; for teens it carries the same data terms as TikTok without TikTok's parent tools.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Messenger Kids
Meta · ages under 13 (App Store rating 4+)
A reasonable first messenger for under-13s whose family already uses Facebook; skip if you don't want Meta holding your child's messages.
Desk researchFree
Pinterest
Pinterest Inc. · ages 13+
One of the calmer social apps for teens 13+ who use it for ideas and projects; check the passcode lock with them.
Desk researchFree
Reddit
Reddit, Inc. · ages 13+ (App Store rating 18+)
Better for older teens who stick to specific hobby communities; not a place for younger kids to browse.
Desk researchFree
Snapchat (Family Center)
Snap Inc. · ages 13+
Only for teens 13+ with Family Center linked and location settings checked; skip for younger children.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Take It Down
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) · ages anyone pictured when under 18, including adults now
Every parent of a teen should know this exists and tell their kids about it; it is one step alongside a CyberTipline report, not a guarantee.
Desk researchFree
Threads
Meta · ages 13+
Low priority for kids; if a teen 13+ wants it, keep the private default and set up supervision where available.
Desk researchFree
TikTok
TikTok USDS Joint Venture (US); ByteDance elsewhere · ages 13+ (separate Under 13 Experience in the US)
If a teen 13+ uses it, link Family Pairing and keep the defaults; younger children should not have a regular account.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
TimeGuessr
TimeGuessr Limited · ages about 10 and up
A fun way for teens and history-curious families to play together; parents of younger kids should turn off multiplayer and preview photos.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Twitch
Twitch Interactive · ages 13+
For teens 13+ watching streams with Parental Controls linked; not for younger children, and think hard before letting a teen stream.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Wattpad
Wattpad Corp. · ages 13+ (App Store rating 16+)
Good for older teens who love to read and write; parents of 13 to 15 year olds should look at what they read and who comments.
Desk researchFree
WhatsApp (parent-managed accounts)
Meta · ages 13+ on their own; under 13 through a parent-managed account where offered
A sensible first messaging app once parental controls are available in your country; check the rollout before relying on them.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Words With Friends
Zynga (Take-Two Interactive) · ages about 10-adult
Works for families who want a shared word game with older kids and will manage chat and spending; younger children or kids who should not meet strangers online are better off with an offline word game.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
YouTube (main app, teen accounts)
Google · ages 13+ on their own; younger only through supervised accounts or YouTube Kids
Fine for teens with supervision and the default protections; children under 13 should be on YouTube Kids or a supervised account instead.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Zigazoo
Zigazoo · ages kids and teens (App Store rating 9+)
A safer practice ground than TikTok for kids who badly want to post videos; parents should still watch for the brand and creator push.

Know before you buy

Shut down, exposed children's data, or said unsafe things in tests.

WarningFree
Scholastic Home Base
Scholastic Inc. · ages kids under 13 and up (Scholastic's middle-grade readers)
No longer available; a reminder that kids' creations on free platforms can disappear, so save what matters.

Also listed on G2

Products G2 files here that we have not researched yet, in G2's order. Most are built for adults or businesses. G2 categories: Social Network Platforms.