Threads
A guide for families with key information about ‘Threads’, including the age rating, key terminology, risks and instructions for enabling parental controls and safety settings.
Disclaimer
Threads is a newly developed app and is changing rapidly. Due to the high frequency of changes in this space, please be aware that this Threads app guide is correct as of July 2023.
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 only available on mobile devices, specifically from Google Play and the Apple App Store. 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 50 million downloads on Google Play. Threads is currently free to use, though it requires an Instagram account to use the app.
Official age rating
The minimum age restriction for Threads users is 13, however it doesn’t have any rigorous age verification methods.
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 16 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 will default to a public setting.
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
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This refers to users directly tagging or ‘mentioning’ another user, which will alert that user to the thread or post.
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This is a standard message up to 500 characters. It can be a written text, or an image, video, or both.
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These are small programs that run within the app and are made by third-party developers. Bots, short for ‘robots’, are computer programmes in Threads that are designed to simulate human activity and complete repetitive tasks. Within Threads, Bots generally handle tasks such as posting automated updates on specific accounts, or relentlessly advertising for a specific service (spamming) on other users’ threads.
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A rate limit is used to help control the amount of activity on Threads to prevent it from becoming overloaded and potentially breaking due to new posts and comments. For users, this will limit the number of posts and comments on Threads that they can see in a day.
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This is the content feed which shows threads and posts from other users.
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An influencer is a social media user who can influence other users due to their large followings. Influencers can often be used to help market goods.
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A repost is a thread or post which is shared by another user.
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Users can ‘Like’ another user’s thread by using the heart-shaped icon.
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A verified user will have a blue checkmark that appears on their profile and posts. Users are verified for either being an account deemed notable and in the public interest, or as a subscriber to Meta Verified.
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 the 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 ten photos in a single post – the same as on the image-sharing app Instagram – it would appear that many users are posting the same content on both Instagram and Threads, despite Thread’s being advertised as a text-based app.
Parents and carers should be aware that as some users are cross-posting images from Instagram, it may be highly edited and uses 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 uses 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.
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 16, 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 on the app, rather than by all users. 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.
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. 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.
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
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Users under the age of 18 will have the option of setting their account to private, whilst users under 16 default to a private account. New users can also choose between creating a public or private account on Threads when they first join.
To set an account to private:
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and toggle on the option named ‘Private profile’.
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Users have a significant amount of control in limiting interactions on Threads. Users can disable specific callouts, referred to as @mentions, and hide specific words, phrases, and even emojis which users may find upsetting. Control settings for posts are also present on Threads, users can hide likes on their posts. This is done via the associated setting on Instagram. Users can also adjust who can comment on threads they post, which can prevent exposure to negative and harmful comments from other users.
To adjust who can comment on a Threads post:
- Go to your post that you wish to adjust comments on. You can do this by going to your profile.
- Select the three dots ‘…’ in the top right corner of the associated post.
- Select ‘Who can reply’ and choose either ‘Profiles you follow’ or ‘Mentioned only’.
To hide likes on a Threads post:
- Go to your post that you wish to hide likes on. You can do this by going to your profile.
- Select the three dots ‘…’ in the top right corner of the associated post.
- Choose ‘Hide like count’.
To disable @mentions:
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and choose ‘@Mentions’.
- Switch ‘Allow @mentions from everyone’ to ‘No one’.
To hide offensive words and phrases:
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and choose ‘Hidden words’.
- Toggle off the option for ‘Offensive words and phrases’.
To hide custom words and phrases:
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and choose ‘Hidden words’.
- Toggle on the option for ‘Custom words and phrases’ and choose ‘Manage custom words and phrases’.
- Write in the custom words, phrases, and emojis you wish to hide.
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Users can report and block other users who may be bothering them or behaving inappropriately on the platform. Additionally, users can discretely mute other users they may wish to follow but no longer see any content from. Users can also restrict other users, which has the effect of hiding any comments and messages from the restricted user but without them knowing.
To block a user:
- Go to the profile of the user you wish to block.
- Select the three dots ‘…’ in the top right corner.
- Choose ‘Block’.
Or
- Select the three dots ‘…’ on a thread posted by the account you wish to block.
- Choose ‘Block’.
To report a user:
- Go to the profile of the user you wish to report.
- Select the three dots ‘…’ in the top right corner.
- Choose ‘Report’.
To report a Thread message or image posted to Threads:
- Select the three dots ‘…’ on the thread you wish to report.
- Choose ‘Report’.
- Select the reason why you wish to report the thread.
To mute a user:
- Go to the profile of the user you wish to mute.
- Select the three dots ‘…’ in the top right corner.
- Choose ‘Mute’.
Or
- Select the three dots ‘…’ on a thread posted by the account you wish to mute.
- Choose ‘Mute’.
To restrict a user:
- Go to the profile of the user you wish to restrict.
- Select the three dots ‘…’ in the top right corner.
- Choose ‘Restrict’.
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There are currently no purchase options available on Threads. However, it does have tools for managing notifications and screen time. The ‘Take a break’ feature allows users to set a designated time limit in units of 10, 20, and 30 minutes which will remind the user to turn off the app after a period of browsing in that time limit. This can also help users avoid being caught in an endless scrolling loop.
To manage notifications:
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and choose ‘Notifications’.
- Choose ‘Pause all’ and select a time to pause notifications.
Or
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and choose ‘Notifications’.
- Select either ‘Threads and replies’ or ‘Following and followers’.
- Choose ‘Off’ on each associated notification option to disable notifications.
To enable ‘Take a break’:
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and choose ‘Account’.
- Select ‘Take a break’ and choose the desired scheduled reminder time.
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Users can only deactivate their Threads account. To complete a full account deletion, users must also delete their Instagram account.
To deactivate a Threads account:
- Go to your profile and select the two lines on the top right corner to access the ‘Settings’ menu.
- Select ‘Privacy’ and choose ‘Deactivate profile’.
- Confirm you wish to deactivate your Threads profile by selecting ‘Deactivate Threads profile’.
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.
Threads is currently in its early stages of release. It is important that you pay close attention to new developments and changes on the Threads platform as the app matures.