Social Media Age Guidelines
CSNP Family Safety Resource | www.csnp.org
Social Media Age Guidelines
Evidence-based guidelines for when children are ready for different social media platforms and how to prepare them safely.
Download Social Media Readiness Guide
Complete guide with platform-specific age recommendations, readiness assessment checklists, and preparation roadmaps.
Download Guide (PDF)What's Included
Readiness Assessment
Evaluate emotional maturity, digital literacy, and communication skills
Platform Guidelines
Age recommendations for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord
Preparation Steps
How to prepare children before, during, and after platform access
Warning Signs
Red flags indicating a child may not be ready or needs more support
General Age Recommendations
- YouTube Kids: Ages 4+ | Full YouTube: Ages 13+
- Instagram and Discord: Ages 15+ recommended (13 minimum)
- TikTok and Snapchat: Ages 16+ recommended (13 minimum)
- Twitter/X: Ages 17+ recommended due to content exposure
Readiness Matters More Than Age
A mature 13-year-old may be ready for platforms an immature 15-year-old isn't. Assess emotional maturity, digital literacy skills, and communication openness. Children who maintain open communication with parents and demonstrate good impulse control are more likely to navigate social media safely.