Threads

Threads, also called ‘Threads, an Instagram app’ is a microblogging social media app launched in July 2023 developed by Instagram and parent company Meta. The app is available on Android and iOS mobile devices, and through a web browser. Similar to X (formerly 'Twitter'), Threads advertises itself as a text-based component to Instagram, though users can upload photos and videos too.

Users can also synchronise contacts, people they follow, and their followers from their Instagram accounts to Threads if they choose to, although this is not essential. Though users may search for other users and follow them, their feed will include both random content and content from accounts they follow. Threads is a quickly growing app, with over 175 million monthly users. Threads is currently free to use, though it requires an Instagram account to use the app.

Official age rating

The minimum age restriction to create a Threads account is 13, however it doesn’t have any rigorous age verification methods and users need an account to browse content.

Users need an Instagram account to register. Any account settings on Instagram, including parental controls, will be imported to Threads as part of the account creation process.

All accounts set up by users under 18 will default to a private setting. This option will only be offered if users have provided their correct date of birth, showing them as under 16. All other accounts are given a choice whether they want a private or public account upon account creation.

How children and young people use the app

Threads is a growing app, among both adults and young people. It advertises a safer and more moderated social media environment, compared to other microblogging sites such as X (formerly 'Twitter'), which some younger users feel is too negative.

Social media apps are generally popular among young people, as they can connect with and follow their favourite celebrities, leaders, and influencers. Posts on Threads can range from being informative, such as news stories, to being funny and irreverent.  The feed of posts on Threads are managed by an algorithm that mixes content from both new users and other accounts the user follows. The random nature of posts on Threads can keep young people engaged by providing a constant stream of content. Young people are often attracted to being able to receive likes and followers as a form of validation and approval.

Key features and terminology

Potential risks

Content

Threads has been initially marketed as the text-based app to rival X (formerly 'Twitter'). The downturn in usage of X due to major changes (such as the introduction of charging for the blue tick) has meant many users have turned to alternates such as Threads as an alternative platform to post and view content. However, users should be aware that the close connection between Threads and Instagram means there is a high prevalence of visual content, such as photos and videos.

With users being able to post up to twenty photos in a single post,  it would appear that many users are posting the same content on both Instagram and Threads, despite Threads being advertised as a text-based app.

Parents and carers should be aware that as some users are cross-posting images from Instagram, images may be highly edited and use effects and filters. It should be noted that Threads does not have a camera or filter function directly on the app but does allow users to post photos generated on other apps.

Over-exposure to highly edited content can have or lead to a negative body image and low self-esteem. Some Thread users have been noted to post images of themselves on the app and asking for external validation, such as asking questions like “rate my body”. Negative comments on posts such as these can additionally lead to negative body image and low self-esteem. As with other popular image-sharing apps, talk to your child about how many of the photos they see on the platform will be highly edited and curated, meaning it is not a true reflection of them or their lives.

Threads currently defaults to a random, algorithmic content selection which does not yet offer many ways for the user to manage what content they see. Whilst this feed may include content from individuals or groups the user follows, it will also include random popular posts. This additionally encourages some users to attempt to make sensationalist threads which achieve a high number of likes, to then appear on the activity page.

Users can attempt to manage feed content by hiding specific words, phrases, or emojis that they may find uncomfortable or upsetting. This can help filter out upsetting and confusing content in advance, or potentially content that can lead to a negative body image. For more information on how to do this, go to the ‘Managing interactions and content’ section of this guide.  

Remind your child to speak to you if they see any content on Threads that they find confusing or upsetting.

Users can access content shared exclusively by accounts they follow by switching to the ‘following’ feed. This can be done by choosing the threads icon at the top of the screen and selecting ‘Following’. This may help reduce your child being exposed to upsetting or confusing content posted by unknown users. However, it should be acknowledged that this would need to be done every time Threads is opened, and that young people may be exposed to inappropriate content from users that they follow and trust.

Threads’ text-based service has made it a target for third-party bot accounts, which have been noted to launch ‘spam attacks’ against other users. This has led to the creation of a rate limit, similar to X, which may impact on the number of posts a user is able to view on the app. Threads users affected by spam attacks are advised to report it to the platform. For information on how to report, go to the ‘Reporting and blocking’ section of this guide.

Connecting with others

To create a Threads account, users need to link it to an existing Instagram account. As part of the set-up process, users have the option to connect with their Instagram contacts if they are also on Threads. This means that a new account can be auto populated with followers, or by finding other users to connect with organically.

For users under 18, the Threads account should automatically default to a private setting, as with Instagram. This means their threads can only be viewed by people they are connected with and users must request to follow them on the app. All account settings will be inherited from a user’s Instagram account. It is recommended that parents and carers check the account settings of both Threads and Instagram to ensure this setting is correct.  

Threads currently does not allow private chats or messages between users. However, if a user posts content from a public account, all other Threads users can comment on it. This can make users vulnerable to negative or harmful comments. Users can adjust who may comment on their posts, such as limiting it to people they follow or only people they directly mention in their posts, this may help prevent exposure to negative commentary or online bullying. Talk to your child about who they connect with on the app and recommend posting from a private account to help protect them from unwanted or hurtful comments.

User behaviour

Due to the current instability of X (formerly 'Twitter'), there is the potential that many former X users will move to Threads as their chosen platform to share their opinions and views to a wider audience. Talk to your child about the type of people they choose to follow on the platform and encourage them to think critically about the threads they read. Remind your child to speak to you if they read or see something they find upsetting or do not understand.  

Threads currently uses the same community guidelines as Instagram. Like many other social media platforms, there can be cases of online bullying and trolling. Encourage your child to think carefully about the content they choose to share on Threads, reminding them that anything they post can be easily captured as a screenshot and shared widely. Ensure your child knows that it can be difficult to keep ownership of any content once it has been shared online.

Threads is part of the ‘fediverse’, which represents a network of interconnected social media platforms. This means users have the option of allowing their threads and reposts to be viewed and interacted with by users of other social media platforms.

Users desiring more engagement with their content may be tempted to turn this feature on to reach a wider audience of users. However, Threads cautions that their ability to remove user content from other social media platforms is limited if users initially decide to share their content on other social media platforms and stop sharing later. Although this option is off by default, it is advised that you check this. More guidance to do this can be found in the ‘Managing interactions and content’ section of this guide. If your child expresses an interest in sharing their content on the ‘fediverse’, ensure they understand that other platforms may be less moderated, and they risk losing control of their content.

Design, data and costs

Meta have stated that there are currently no non-influencer advertisements on Threads. This means that users will not be shown explicit adverts on the platform. However, similarly to Instagram, influencers and all other users may use Threads to advertise specific products or services. Unlike Instagram, users are not currently required to use the hashtag ‘#ads’ to distinguish when posted content is a paid-for advert. This may be confusing for some users, as they may not be able to easily distinguish between promotional content and authentic content. Talk to your child about the role of influencers and remind them that influencers have been paid to promote certain products. It is recommended that parents and carers regularly check-in on Meta’s policy around advertisements, as their non-advertising policy may change as the app develops.

The design of Threads means users are exposed to an endless scroll of content. This means the activity section will keep providing endless content for users to view, which may result in some users spending hours on the platform scrolling through content. Talk to your child about how platforms are designed to keep users engaged for long periods of time and encourage them to take frequent breaks from the app. Information on how to use the settings menu to help manage time can be found in the ‘Managing time and purchases’ section of this guide.

Like many other social media apps, Threads shows users the number of likes and comments on a post by default. Young people have been noted to see the number of likes and comments on a post as a form of validation and may develop negative emotions if they do not feel their content is developing enough engagement. Speak with your child to ensure that they know that the number of likes they receive on a post is not indicative of their value as a person the benefits of disabling this feature on their own accounts.

Threads has been noted to collect a very high amount of personal data on users, including physical location, personal details such as the user’s name, phone number, political and religious beliefs, among many others. Talk to your child about how big technology companies make money from user’s data and help them to consider whether they are comfortable with Meta collecting this type of information from them. This may help them to determine whether they create a Threads account or not.

Tips for keeping your child safe

Additional tips

Threads maintains a small help centre on the main Instagram page. As Instagram is the parent app of Threads, the parents’ guide for Instagram contains further relevant information and details for users of Threads.

Due to Threads’ close association with Instagram, several account settings, such as hiding likes or setting a new password, must be configured on Instagram rather than Threads.