Pinterest is an online interactive pin board used for photo-sharing. You can create collections of pin boards using your own images and you can also re-pin things from other people. Most pins are suitable for teens but they might come across inappropriate content, such as nudity, especially if they search for it.
Official age rating
Show your child how to create secret boards that can be viewed by invitation only. Discuss together what’s good to keep private.
Sit down with your child and explore Pinterest together. This will give you a chance to look at some of the privacy settings together and find out more about how they’re using the app.
We would recommend making sure location sharing is switched off and hiding their account from search engines, like Google and Bing. Explore these features together and talk about what to keep private.
You can visit Pinterest for specific information on account privacy.
Help your child think about what they share online and who sees it. Compare it to what they would be happy to share offline.
Use examples that are easy for them to understand: “You shouldn't give your number to somebody you don't know on the street. Is somebody online you don't know any different?”
Listen to their answers. And be positive and encouraging.
Remind them that they shouldn’t share private things, such as:
Your child might see something upsetting or negative on Pinterest. If this happens, they might want to report something or block someone.
Pinterest has guidance on how to report something and how to block someone.
And remember to let your child know that they can always talk to you about worrying things they see online.
On Pinterest you can create secret boards that are hidden from other people (unless you invite them see it).To do this you:
1) From your profile, select Boards
2) Select the pen icon on the board you want to make secret
Select 'Keep this board secret'
3) Select Save.
Remind your child to never invite anyone to a board without checking with you first.
Disable private messages on Pinterest to stop people your child might not know from contacting them.
1. Open the Pinterest app on your device and log into your Pinterest account.
2. Tap your profile picture at the bottom-right to open your profile.
3. Tap the nut icon in the top-right corner.
4. Tap Notifications.
5. Tap the right arrow icon.
6) Tap ‘Turn off all’, then ‘Confirm’.
Explain that you understand the internet is a great place to play, create, learn and connect. But remind them they can talk to you if anything upsets or worries them.
Reassure them that you won’t overreact – you’re just looking out for them.
It’s important to remind your child that they can talk you, another adult they trust, like a teacher, or Childline about anything they see online.
Having open, regular conversations with your child will help you to really understand and explore the online world together. Our tips and advice can help you start these conversations.
Talk about staying safe onlineWe've spoken to over 2,000 parents and kids to find out what they think.
What do children and young people dislike about Pinterest?
I get inspiration from the pictures and I get to learn some stuff from it. I don’t like that they don’t have a safe-search.
Boy, 13
What do children and young people like about Pinterest?
You can find creative ideas or DIY stuff. Pinterest has a filter when you first get the app so you can choose what you want to see.” Girl, 13
We asked parents about the following areas of Pinterest:
Signing up
It was very easy but no verification of any kind. Got straight in after entering my email address.
Mum of 7 and 11 year olds
Let me access all content after entering an email address and my age. Although a validation email was sent, it didn't need to be validated before I was on the site.
Dad of an 8 year old
Reporting
It’s not obvious where to go to report or block.
Dad of 10 and 12 year old boys
I didn’t see any way of blocking other people.
Mum of 7 and 9 year olds
Privacy settings
Overall, parents thought it was easy to change the settings so that your profile, account and location were private.
Changing privacy I found easier than location settings.
Mum of 7 and 9 year old boys
Safety and support
Standards and terms of use are under the terms tab on the website, but you aren't prompted to read them first, so I only knew what the terms were if I looked for them.
Dad of an 8 year old
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