At what age should kids start vlogging and using social media? Experts weigh in

With social media usage among children on the rise, parents face increasing pressure to determine when it is safe for their kids to start using platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

In light of a recent survey revealing that one-third of parents allow their children to use social media independently before the legal age, the question of appropriate digital engagement has gained importance.

Michael Holmes from VidPros, a professional video editing service, weighed in on this issue, stressing the importance of adhering to platform age restrictions and suggesting that even waiting beyond the legal minimum might be beneficial.

“The age at which kids get their first social media account is getting lower while the number of kids on social media gets higher. But kids should at least be the required legal age to have an account, and in many cases, we think they should still be older.” Holmes stated.

The legal age for most social media platforms is 13, including platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This aligns with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which aims to safeguard children’s online privacy in the U.S. For YouTube, parental oversight is required for children under 13, with YouTube Kids offering an alternative for younger users. Other platforms like WhatsApp, Reddit, and Twitter/X also have a minimum age requirement of 13.

Vlogging: A Different Level of Exposure

Holmes also addressed the question of when children should start vlogging, a popular form of content creation where individuals share aspects of their daily lives or expertise. He emphasised that vlogging can expose children to higher public scrutiny than simply being on social media.

“Starting a vlog offers kids a platform to express their creativity, build communication skills, and create community bonds,” says Holmes. “However, vloggers are putting themselves in the spotlight in a way that just being on social media does not.” 

“The type of vlogs or videos a child wants to create will influence what age they should be allowed to start. If they want to do videos contained to one area, like make-up tutorials or book reviews in their bedroom, then parents might allow them to start at 15 or 16. If they want to do ‘day in the life’ type vlogs, which would involve filming themselves in more locations, parents should consider waiting until they’re 18. These types of vlogs can expose vloggers' locations, opening the door to malicious actors.

“Whatever age you choose, remember that your kid will need the maturity to navigate online feedback, which can be very harsh,” Holmes added.

Balancing Online and Offline Life

One of the challenges with allowing children to vlog or use social media is maintaining a healthy balance between their digital lives and real-world experiences.

“One of the significant challenges with vlogging is ensuring that children maintain a healthy balance between their online activities and offline life,” Holmes advised.

“Engaging too heavily in the virtual world can detract from the real-life experiences and face-to-face interactions crucial for emotional and psychological development. Encouraging children to engage in offline hobbies, sports, and social events can help them develop a well-rounded personality and keep their online engagement in perspective.”

He also noted that while vlogging can provide a platform for creativity and community building, it is important for parents to remain vigilant.

“Vlogging can profoundly affect your child’s life - both negatively and positively. Positive feedback can boost self-esteem and foster a sense of community. However, exposure to negative comments or cyberbullying can have adverse effects.

“Vlogging offers children a unique way to explore and express their personalities and interests. It can be a profound tool for self-expression and self-discovery, helping them to build their identity. Yet, there's a risk of shaping their self-image based solely on viewer feedback, which can be misleading and harmful,” he said.