Pinterest

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:

• personal information, like names, emails, phone numbers, location and school names
• other people's personal information
• links to join private group chats
• photos of themselves
• photos of their body, such as sexual photos or videos.

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.