Pinterest

How Pinterest works

Pinterest is a social media platform that lets users create their own virtual public and private pin boards dedicated to their interests. It is free to use and available in a web browser, on Android and iOS.

With Pinterest, users can:

• ‘Pin’ (save) inspirational photos or videos to their different ‘Boards’, organised by theme
• ‘Follow’ the boards they are interested in
• search the platform for ideas and inspiration for their different projects or interests
• access a personalised feed of content on the ‘Browse’ section

Minimum age rating

The minimum age rating for Pinterest users is 13. Users under the age of 16 are automatically given private profiles that limit their interaction with unknown users and inappropriate content. However, there is no age verification upon sign-up, so ensure that your child enters the correct date of birth.

If a user who registered as ‘under the age of 18’ tries to change their age, they will need a government-issued document showing their age.

Features and terms

Board

Users can create their own boards which they can add ‘Pins’ (saved images) to. Users can have different boards for their different interests or projects. Boards can be public or private and can also be shared and added to with friends.

Claiming a social account

This allows users to link their Instagram account to their Pinterest account. Users who do this can post on both platforms at the same time.

Create 

This is where users can post their own ‘Pin’ by taking their own photos or create a ‘Board’. 

Follow

Users can follow other users or boards, and then their Pins show in their feed.

Home feed

This is where users will see ‘Pins’, people and businesses that the platform thinks they will like or be interested in. On this feed users will also see ‘Pins’ from the people and boards they follow.

Messages 

This feature lets users send direct messages to other users on the platform.

Pinning

The action of users saving Pins to their boards. 

Pins

These are photos that users have ‘Pinned’ (saved) to their board.

Product Pins

This is where users are directed to external sites to purchase items similar to the ‘Pins’ they have searched for.

Secret boards

A feature of Pinterest that allows users to make their boards private and only accessible to them and any users they have chosen to invite. These boards appear on a user’s profile with a lock icon in the top left of the cover image.

Try on

A feature that uses augmented reality to let users virtually ’try on’ certain products from select brands. It requires access to the camera of the device being used.

What Pinterest offers

Creativity and self-expression

Pinterest encourages users to discover new ideas and find inspiration for their own projects. Users can also share their own images, allowing them to express their style and receive feedback on their creations.

Discovering hobbies and community

Users can follow boards and other users that match their interests. This allows them to interact in the comments with people who share their hobbies and find a sense of community.

Managing risks 

Inappropriate content 

With so much content available on the platform, it is possible that your child may come across content that is inappropriate for them. Although the platform does not allow certain content types, such as nudity or violence, some users might mislabel their content. Users could also receive inappropriate content through their messages.

The following steps can help prevent your child from being exposed to inappropriate content.

Manage the algorithm

Selecting ‘See fewer like this’ on any posts that feature inappropriate content will result in your child seeing fewer posts with similar content in the future.

Report content

Reporting any posts that break Pinterest’s rules will help get harmful content removed.

Adjust settings

In Pinterest’s settings, you can edit who can message your child and filter comment sections. This reduces the risk of other users sending your child inappropriate content.

Talk about what your child sees

If your child sees something on Pinterest that upsets them or makes them feel uncomfortable, it is important they know they can come to you for support.

Contact with other users

Despite operating differently to other forms of social media, Pinterest is still a social media platform and therefore involves communication with strangers. Other users can message your child privately, reply to their comments and comment on their posts.

There are actions you can take to reduce the risks other users pose to your child.

Adjust settings

In Pinterest’s settings you can:

• make their profile private, meaning only approved users can see the profile
• hide their account from search engines
• limit or disable private messaging, allowing messages only from friends or turning the feature off entirely

Use secret boards

If you are concerned about your child being contacted by other users, encourage them to use secret boards. These boards are only visible to your child and any collaborators they invite.

Talk about their online life

Regularly talking with your child about who they interact with and what they share online can help you learn if someone unsafe is contacting them.

Teach them what’s appropriate to share online and encourage them to come to you for support if anything makes them uncomfortable.

Explore blocking and reporting tools

Review Pinterest’s blocking and reporting tools with your child. This will teach them how to end contact with anyone that is making them uncomfortable and keep the platform safe for everyone.

Involve police if necessary 

If you suspect a stranger is contacting your child to harm them, you should report them to the police.

Excessive screen time

Pinterest has an endless scroll design, meaning users can continue loading new content, without ever running out.

There are things you can do to avoid your child spending too much time on Pinterest.

Set screen time limits

In the settings of your child’s iPhone or Android device, set time limits on the Pinterest app. This can help prevent your child from using it too much.

Agree on boundaries

Come to an agreement with your child about when they can use Pinterest. Setting boundaries on when they use it can prevent it from having a negative effect on other aspects of their life.

Promote mindfulness

Encourage your child to spend time considering how they use the app and how it makes them feel. This can help them recognise when they need to take a break.

Set a parental passcode

Setting up a parental passcode allows you to adjust your child’s Pinterest settings and protect them with a passcode. The passcode must be entered before settings can be changed in future.

Settings to protect your child 

If your child is using Pinterest, these settings can help them stay safe on the app.

Set up a parental passcode

Setting up a parental passcode will mean a 4-digit passcode must be entered before settings can be changed in future. This prevents your child from editing the safety settings you place on their account.

 Set up a parental passcode (web)

• Log in to your child's Pinterest account.
• Select the gear icon in the bottom left of the screen.
• Select ‘Settings’.
• Select ‘Account management’.
• Follow the prompts to create a passcode and add your email address.
• Check your email for a confirmation email.
• Select the link in the email to verify your account.

Set up a parental passcode (Android and iOS)

• Open the Pinterest app and log in to your child’s account.
• Select the profile picture in the bottom right of the screen.
• Select the profile picture in the top left of the screen.
• Select ‘Account management’.
• Select ‘Parental passcode’.
• Follow the prompts to create a passcode and add your email address.
• Check your email for a confirmation email.
• Select the link in the email to verify your account.

Set the account to private

Private accounts on Pinterest are undiscoverable through search results and have their boards and pins hidden from unapproved users. This gives your child’s account greater security and makes it less likely strangers will contact them. Users under 16 years of age will have their account set to private by default.

Make a profile private (web)

• Log in to the Pinterest account.
• Select the gear icon in the bottom left of the screen.
• Select ‘Settings’.
• Select ‘Profile visibility’.
• Turn the toggle on next to ‘Private profile’.
• Select ‘Save’.

Make a profile private (Android and iOS)

• Open the Pinterest app.
• Select the profile picture in the bottom right of the screen.
• Select the profile picture in the top left of the screen.
• Select ‘Profile visibility.
• Turn the toggle on next to ‘Private profile’.

Manage social interactions

In the ‘Social permissions’ section of the Pinterest settings, you can adjust who can message your child, filter or disable comments and manage blocked accounts.

Manage Social permissions (web)

• From the homepage, select the gear icon in the bottom left of the screen.
• Select ‘Settings’.
• Select ‘Social permissions’.
• Adjust the settings, and then select ‘Save’.

Manage Social permissions (Android and iOS)

• Open the Pinterest app.
• Select the profile picture in the bottom right of the screen.
• Select the profile picture in the top left of the screen.
• Select ‘Social permissions’.
• Start adjusting the settings.

Review blocking and reporting features

Report or block an account

• Go to the profile of the person you want to block.
• Select the 3 dots.
• Select ‘Block’ or ‘Report’.
• If reporting, pick a reason for the report.

Report a pin

• Select the 3dots on the pin you wish to report.
• Select ‘Report Pin’.
• Select the reasons for the report.
• Select ‘Report’ to submit.

Useful links

• Pinterest’s parent and carer help centre.