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👨‍👩‍👧 For parents, teachers and pupils

Apps and games: which age are they for?

Minimum ages according to each platform's terms, the main risks, and how to make them safer. Plus: the kinds of apps children should not use.

📱 Apps ⛔ What to avoid 🎮 PEGI 🤝 Family agreement

TikTok

Social network / video
13+
Risk: high

Minimum age under the platform's terms. Accounts of users under 16 have some default restrictions (e.g. on private messages).

⚠️ Risks
  • The algorithm can quickly show inappropriate content, dangerous challenges or videos that affect self-esteem.
  • Comments and messages from strangers; live streams and “gifts” can be used to pressure or scam people.
  • Overuse because of endless videos (infinite scroll), and effects on sleep.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Profile → ☰ → Settings and privacy → Privacy → turn on Private account.
  • In Privacy → Direct messages, Comments and Duet/Stitch → choose Friends or No one.
  • Parents: use Family Pairing in Settings and privacy for screen time, Restricted Mode and message controls.
  • Set a daily limit in Settings → Time and well-being → Screen time.
  • Don't post your school uniform, your address or where you live.

Instagram

Social network / photos and video
13+
Risk: high

Minimum age under the platform's terms. Teen users are automatically placed in a “Teen Account” with restrictions; for under-16s, changing some settings requires a parent's permission.

⚠️ Risks
  • Comparing yourself with others, and filters, can affect self-esteem and body image.
  • Messages from strangers, fake profiles and blackmail with photos (sextortion).
  • Bullying in comments, stories and groups; location sharing.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Profile → ☰ → Account privacy → Private account.
  • In Messages and story replies → allow messages only from people you follow.
  • In Comments and Hidden Words → turn on filtering of offensive comments.
  • Parents: use Meta's Supervision / Family Center to manage time and limits, and to see who your child follows.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication: Accounts Center → Password and security → Two-factor authentication.

Snapchat

Messaging / social network
13+
Risk: high

Minimum age under the platform's terms.

⚠️ Risks
  • “Disappearing” messages create a false sense of security – photos can be saved with a screenshot or another device.
  • Snap Map can show your child's exact location.
  • Friend requests from strangers and blackmail with photos; streaks create pressure to use the app every day.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Profile → ⚙️ Settings → Privacy Controls → Contact Me → My Friends.
  • Snap Map: open the map → ⚙️ → turn on Ghost Mode.
  • In View My Story → My Friends; in See Me in Quick Add → turn it off.
  • Parents: use Family Center to see your child's friends list and to report concerns.
  • Never send a photo you wouldn't want the whole school to see.

WhatsApp

Messaging and calls
13+ (check current terms)
Risk: medium

The minimum age varies by region; in Europe it is 13 under the 2024 terms. Check the current terms.

⚠️ Risks
  • Being added to groups with strangers, and the spread of inappropriate content or fake news.
  • Scams (“Mum, I've got a new number”, “send me the code you got by mistake”) and account theft.
  • Bullying in class groups and sharing photos without permission.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Settings → Privacy → Groups → My contacts (or My contacts except...).
  • Settings → Account → Two-step verification → turn it on and set a PIN.
  • In Privacy: Profile photo, About and Last seen → My contacts; turn on Silence unknown callers.
  • Never share the six-digit code that arrives by SMS.
  • Block and report unknown contacts who send links or ask for money.

YouTube and YouTube Kids

Video
13+ (YouTube); YouTube Kids for younger children, with a parent's approval
Risk: medium

Having your own YouTube account requires 13+ under the terms. For younger children there is YouTube Kids and the supervised experience through Google Family Link.

⚠️ Risks
  • Automatic recommendations that can lead to inappropriate or frightening content.
  • Comments with scam links (“free Robux”) and ads.
  • Watching too much because of autoplay.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: for young children, use YouTube Kids and choose an age group (e.g. Preschool, Younger, Older) or Approved content only.
  • For older children, use a supervised account with Google Family Link and a content level suited to their age.
  • Turn on Restricted Mode: Profile → Settings → General.
  • Turn off autoplay and use Remind me to take a break.
  • Don't tap links in comments or descriptions that promise free stuff.

Facebook and Messenger

Social network / messaging
13+
Risk: medium

Minimum age under the platform's terms. Teens have stricter default settings, and Meta's Supervision tools can be used.

⚠️ Risks
  • Fake profiles and friend requests from strangers; messages asking for photos or to meet up.
  • Shopping scams, fake lotteries and account theft through links.
  • Public personal information (school, town, family) that helps scammers.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Menu → Settings & privacy → Settings → Privacy Checkup.
  • Set your posts and friends list to Friends; Who can send you friend requests → Friends of friends.
  • In Messenger → Privacy & safety → Message delivery → send requests from strangers to Message requests, or don't receive them at all.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication in Accounts Center → Password and security.
  • Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know in real life.

Discord

Chat / gaming communities
13+ (higher in some countries – check current terms)
Risk: high

Minimum age under the platform's terms; some countries require a higher age. Some servers are 18+ only.

⚠️ Risks
  • Public servers without enough moderation, with offensive language or adult content.
  • Private messages from adults pretending to be the same age (grooming), then moving on to voice/video calls.
  • Scam links (“free Nitro”) and account theft.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: User Settings → Privacy & Safety (Content & Social) → filter sensitive content in direct messages.
  • Turn off Allow direct messages from server members, and allow friend requests only from Friends of Friends.
  • Parents: use Family Center in Settings to see who your child talks to (without reading their messages).
  • Turn on two-factor authentication in My Account.
  • Only join servers you know (e.g. your school's, or those of friends you know in real life).

Telegram

Messaging / channels
Check current terms – not recommended for children
Risk: high

Telegram has no parental controls. Large public channels and groups have very little moderation.

⚠️ Risks
  • Public groups and channels with violent or adult content, or illegal sales.
  • Sharing of APKs, “cracked” games and harmful files.
  • Being added to groups by strangers, and private messages from people with fake profiles.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number → Nobody; Who can find me by my number → My Contacts.
  • In Groups & Channels → Who can add me → My Contacts.
  • Turn on Two-Step Verification (an extra password) in Privacy and Security.
  • Don't download files (.apk, .exe, .zip) from groups or channels.
  • For children, choose apps that have parental controls.

Roblox

Game / gaming platform
PEGI 7 (check the rating in the store)
Risk: medium

The platform also allows young children, but user-created experiences have different content levels. Roblox has started requiring age checks for chat, and it has built-in parental controls.

⚠️ Risks
  • Chats with strangers who may try to lure your child onto other apps.
  • Scams with “free Robux”, item trades and fake sign-in pages.
  • Spending Robux on a parent's card; some experiences have content that isn't suitable for the child's age.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: the parent creates their own account and links it to the child's account in Settings → Parental Controls.
  • Limit chat and who can contact your child; set the content level for their age.
  • Set a monthly spending limit and don't save a card; use official gift cards.
  • Turn on 2-Step Verification in Settings → Security.
  • Never enter your username and password on websites that promise free Robux.

Minecraft

Building game / creative
PEGI 7
Risk: low

The game's PEGI rating. Online servers and chat are managed through Microsoft/Xbox account controls.

⚠️ Risks
  • Third-party public servers with unmoderated chat.
  • Downloading “mods” and “free” versions from unofficial websites that contain viruses.
  • Marketplace purchases with Minecoins.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: use a child account in the Microsoft family group, and use Xbox Family Settings to control who can play and talk with your child.
  • For younger children, play in private worlds or only with friends you know (Realms).
  • Only download the game from the official store or minecraft.net; mods only from trusted sources and with an adult's help.
  • Limit purchases with a parent's approval (Ask to buy).

Fortnite

Action game (battle royale)
PEGI 12
Risk: medium

The game's PEGI rating. Epic Games has parental controls, and for children under the age of digital consent some features are restricted until a parent approves them.

⚠️ Risks
  • Voice and text chat with unknown players.
  • “Free V-Bucks” scams and account theft.
  • Frequent skin purchases and peer pressure; long gaming sessions.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: in your Epic Games account → Parental Controls, set a parental PIN and restrict voice/text chat (Nobody or Friends).
  • Restrict friend requests and purchases; require a PIN for every purchase.
  • Turn on 2-step verification on the Epic Games account.
  • Only buy V-Bucks inside the game or in the console's official store.
  • Also use the console's or phone's family controls.

Free Fire

Mobile action game (battle royale)
PEGI 12 (check the rating in the store)
Risk: medium

The rating may vary by version and store; check the current rating on Google Play or the App Store.

⚠️ Risks
  • “Free diamonds” scams and fake generators that steal accounts.
  • Frequent in-game purchases and boxes with random rewards.
  • Voice and text chat with strangers; buying and selling accounts outside the game.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: link the account to a Google/Apple account protected with 2-step verification – don't play as a “Guest”.
  • Turn off the microphone and chat with unknown players in the game's voice settings.
  • Require a parent's approval for purchases through Family Link or Screen Time.
  • Don't use apps or websites that promise free diamonds or “hacks”.

PUBG Mobile

Mobile action game (battle royale)
PEGI 16 (check the rating in the store)
Risk: high

The rating may vary by version and store; check the current rating on Google Play or the App Store.

⚠️ Risks
  • Realistic violence and voice chat with adult players.
  • Purchases and boxes with random rewards (crates) that resemble gambling.
  • “Free UC” scams and account selling.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: respect the age rating; for younger children, choose games with a lower PEGI rating.
  • Turn off the microphone and team chat with strangers in the voice settings.
  • Require a parent's approval for purchases and set a daily time limit.
  • Link the account to one that's protected with 2-step verification.

Call of Duty: Mobile

Mobile action game (shooter)
PEGI 16 (check the rating in the store)
Risk: high

The rating may vary by version and store. Many other Call of Duty versions for consoles are PEGI 18.

⚠️ Risks
  • Realistic gun violence and harsh language in voice chat.
  • Bullying and insults from adult players.
  • In-game purchases and items with random rewards.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: respect the PEGI age rating.
  • In the Audio settings, turn off the microphone and voice chat, or allow it with friends only.
  • Turn on the text chat filter and report offensive players.
  • Purchases only with a parent's approval and a monthly limit.

EA SPORTS FC

Sports game (football)
PEGI 3
Risk: medium

The game's PEGI rating, with a note about in-game purchases, including paid random items (packs in Ultimate Team).

⚠️ Risks
  • Player packs in Ultimate Team are paid random items – a mechanism that resembles gambling.
  • Buying and selling coins or accounts outside the game – it's not allowed and is often a scam.
  • EA account theft through fake “free FC Points” websites.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: use the console/PC family controls to limit spending, and require a PIN for purchases.
  • In your EA account, turn on Login Verification under Security.
  • Talk with your child about how random packs work and how much they really cost.
  • Don't buy coins or accounts from third-party websites.

Twitch

Live streaming
13+
Risk: high

Minimum age under the platform's terms. There are no dedicated parental controls.

⚠️ Risks
  • Live streams with harsh language or adult content; public chats are hard to moderate.
  • Children who stream themselves may accidentally reveal their home, school or location.
  • Pressure to give gifts, subscriptions and “bits” with real money.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Settings → Security and Privacy → block private messages (Whispers) from strangers.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication.
  • Don't stream live without permission and without a parent present; don't show your face, your school uniform or your bedroom window.
  • Only follow age-appropriate channels, and report inappropriate content.

Pinterest

Ideas and images
13+
Risk: low

Minimum age under the platform's terms; teen accounts are private by default.

⚠️ Risks
  • Content that affects body image (diets, the “ideal body”).
  • Links to external websites with ads or scams.
  • Messages from strangers if the account is public.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: Settings → Privacy and data → keep your profile private.
  • In Messages, allow only people you follow.
  • Be careful when tapping links that take you outside Pinterest.
  • Report pins that encourage self-harm or extreme diets.

CapCut

Video editing
13+ (check current terms)
Risk: low

Minimum age under the platform's terms; check the current terms for your country.

⚠️ Risks
  • Videos and photos are uploaded to the cloud – be careful what you put there.
  • Templates and AI effects can be used to change other people's faces without permission.
  • A direct link to TikTok makes it easy to post quickly without thinking.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: don't upload videos of other people without their permission.
  • Check the app's permissions for Photos and Microphone (only while using the app).
  • Don't use AI effects to mock or change your friends' faces.
  • Before posting, check whether the video reveals your home, school or location.

BeReal

Social network / photos
13+ (check current terms)
Risk: medium

Minimum age under the platform's terms; check the current terms.

⚠️ Risks
  • Photos taken with the front and back cameras often reveal your room, school or other people.
  • Your location can be shared with your posts.
  • Public posts (Discovery) can be seen by strangers.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: post for Friends only, not publicly.
  • Turn off location sharing before every post.
  • Only accept people you know in real life as friends.
  • Check what can be seen in the background before you post.

AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.)

AI assistants
Usually 13+, with a parent's permission for under-18s (varies by platform)
Risk: medium

Each platform has its own terms; some offer parental controls or supervised versions for children (e.g. through Google Family Link). Check the current terms.

⚠️ Risks
  • Inaccurate or made-up answers that sound convincing – they can lead to mistakes in homework or to dangerous advice.
  • Sharing personal data, photos or private problems with a service that stores conversations.
  • Emotional dependence on AI “companions”, and using AI to copy instead of learning.
🛡️ How to make it safer
  • Safe settings: use the platform's parental controls if they're offered (e.g. linking a teen's account to a parent's account), plus Family Link / Screen Time controls.
  • Don't type your full name, address, school, passwords or personal photos.
  • In the data settings, turn off the use of your chats for training if the platform allows it.
  • Always check facts in reliable sources, and tell your teacher when you use AI for homework.
  • For personal problems or difficult feelings, talk to a parent, teacher or another trusted person – not just to AI.

Ages are based on platform terms and PEGI ratings at the time of publishing and may change. A minimum age does not mean an app is suitable for every child of that age.

⛔ Careful

Apps and sites children should not use

Not specific brands — the types that carry serious risk, whatever they are called.

⛔ Video chat with strangers (random video chat)

These websites and apps randomly connect you with strangers through your camera. Children very often come across nudity, foul language or adults asking for photos and videos. Recordings can later be used for blackmail.

How to spot them: a “Next” button that connects you to a new person each time, no age verification, promises like “talk to strangers from all over the world”.

⛔ Anonymous text chat with strangers

Unmoderated anonymous chats are where adults with bad intentions can most easily approach children. With no name and no profile, you never know who you're really talking to.

How to spot them: “talk to a stranger”, “anonymous chat”, no account needed, a button to skip to the next person.

⛔ Anonymous question and confession apps

Apps where other people send you anonymous questions or comments (often linked to Instagram or Snapchat) are widely used for bullying, insults and mockery, because the sender stays hidden.

How to spot them: “ask me anything anonymously”, “what do others think of you”, “school confessions”, messages with no sender name.

⛔ Dating apps – 18+ only

These apps are for adults only. Children who use them can fall prey to adults with bad intentions, scams and blackmail.

How to spot them: profiles with photos to like or reject (swipe), “find someone near you”, 18+ age requirements.

⛔ “Vault” apps for hiding photos

These apps hide photos and chats behind a fake icon (e.g. a calculator). They're often used to hide risky content or chats with adults. For parents, finding one is a signal to talk – not to punish.

How to spot them: a second “calculator” or “file manager” that asks for a PIN, apps with names like vault, hide or secret.

⛔ Unofficial stores, modified APKs and “cracked” games

“Mod”, “free pro” or “unlimited coins” versions often contain viruses that steal accounts, passwords and data. They also break the game's terms, and your account may be banned.

How to spot them: downloading an .apk file from a website or Telegram group, “Mod APK”, “unlimited coins”, being asked to allow “unknown sources”.

⛔ “Free coin” generators (Robux, V-Bucks, diamonds, FC Points)

Real coin generators don't exist. These websites and videos steal your username and password, or make you install apps and fill in “surveys” that collect your data.

How to spot them: “free Robux/V-Bucks”, “just enter your username”, “verify you're not a robot by downloading 2 apps”, counters showing “coins being generated”.

⛔ Betting, casino and skin betting websites, and loot boxes

Gambling with money or with game items (skins) is not allowed for minors and can become addictive. “Case opening” and skin betting websites work just like casinos.

How to spot them: “open the case”, “spin the wheel”, “win rare skins”, sign-up bonuses, deposits of money or game items.

⛔ Apps that ask for too many permissions (torch, “cleaner”, “boost”, “battery”)

Modern phones already have these features built in. Apps like these often ask for access to your contacts, SMS, location or Accessibility for no reason, and use it for aggressive ads or data theft.

How to spot them: a simple app asks for lots of permissions, shows ads on screen even when it's closed, or promises to make your phone “200% faster”.

⛔ Unmoderated live streaming for minors

When a child streams live, strangers can watch them in real time, message them, ask them for things or offer them “gifts” in return for doing something. Everything can be recorded.

How to spot them: apps where anyone can stream and watch without age verification, with virtual gifts for streamers.

⛔ Websites that sell or trade game accounts

Buying and selling accounts is against games' terms. It often ends in lost money, stolen or banned accounts, and personal details being shared with scammers.

How to spot them: “selling account with rare skins”, “I'll buy your account”, payments outside the official store, requests for your email and password.

⛔ AI “nudify” or face-swap apps for intimate content

These apps create fake intimate images of real people without their consent. Creating or sharing images like this of a minor is a serious crime, even if it's “just a joke”. They cause great harm to the victim. If someone creates or shares images like this of you or a friend, it's not your fault – tell a trusted adult straight away; it can be reported to Kosovo Police (192).

How to spot them: promises like “remove the clothes from any photo” or “put anyone's face in any video”, ads on social media or Telegram for “uncensored AI”.

🎮 Games

How to read PEGI ratings

PEGI is the European age-rating system for games. The number shows the minimum age; the icons show why.

PEGI 3

Suitable for all ages. May contain very mild violence in a comic or child-like setting (e.g. cartoon characters), but nothing that could frighten young children. No bad language.

PEGI 7

May contain scenes or sounds that could frighten young children, or very mild, unrealistic violence.

PEGI 12

May contain slightly more graphic violence towards fantasy characters, or non-realistic violence towards human characters, as well as mild bad language or mild sexual innuendo.

PEGI 16

Violence or sexual activity looks as it would in real life. May contain stronger bad language, the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs, and criminal activity.

PEGI 18

Adults only. May contain gross violence, violence towards defenceless characters, drug use shown in a positive light, or explicit sexual content.

Violence

The game contains violent scenes. The level depends on the PEGI number: from cartoon violence at PEGI 7 to realistic and gross violence at PEGI 18.

Bad Language

The game contains swearing or offensive language. Note: chats with other players online are not rated by PEGI and can be much harsher.

Fear

The game may be frightening or disturbing for young children (at PEGI 7), or has more intense horror scenes (at PEGI 12 and above).

Gambling

The game contains elements that encourage or teach gambling (e.g. casino games, betting). These games are usually PEGI 18.

Sex

The game contains nudity, sexual innuendo or sexual scenes. The level depends on the PEGI number.

Drugs

The game shows or refers to the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

Discrimination

The game contains depictions that may encourage hatred of or discrimination against particular groups of people.

In-Game Purchases

The game lets you buy items, virtual currency, levels or subscriptions with real money. If the label says it includes paid random items (e.g. loot boxes, player packs), the player pays without knowing exactly what they'll get – a mechanism that resembles gambling. Set spending limits and require a parent's approval.

How to use PEGI

The PEGI number shows which ages a game is suitable for, not how difficult it is. The content icons show why it got that rating. You can find the rating on the game box, in official stores (PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Nintendo eShop, Google Play) and at pegi.info.

🤝 For the family

Family digital agreement

Read it together, discuss it, adapt it to your family — and print it for the fridge.

  1. We use devices in shared spaces at home and charge them outside the bedroom at night.
  2. We agree together on daily screen time and on screen-free times (meals, homework, sleep).
  3. We only download apps and games with permission and according to age (PEGI or the platform's terms).
  4. We don't share passwords with friends; parents know younger children's passwords.
  5. We don't share personal details online: address, school, phone number, location or photos that give these away.
  6. We don't accept friend requests from people we only know online, and we never meet them in person without a parent.
  7. We don't make purchases in games or apps without permission.
  8. We're kind online: we don't insult or make fun of others, and we don't share other people's photos without permission.
  9. When something upsets us, scares us or seems strange, we tell an adult straight away – without being afraid of getting into trouble.
  10. We review this agreement together every school year, or when a child gets a new device or app.
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