X (Twitter) Safety Guide
A parent's guide to X (formerly Twitter), covering content risks, privacy settings, and how to help your child use the platform more safely.
Official age
13+
We recommend
14+
Developer
X Corp
Risks
2
Overview
X (formerly Twitter) is a public social media platform where users post short messages, images, and videos. Content ranges from news and education to graphic violence, hate speech, and adult material. Following changes to content moderation policies, the platform now hosts a wider range of unfiltered content than many alternatives.
How children use it
Teenagers use X to follow interests, celebrities, and news. They engage in public conversations, share opinions, and may encounter viral content including harmful material. Some use alternative accounts to express views they would not share publicly.
Main risks
Recommended privacy settings
Protect your posts
Location: Settings > Privacy and Safety > Audience, media and tagging > Protect your posts
Set to: On
Only approved followers can see your child's posts. This is the most important setting for younger users.
Direct Messages
Location: Settings > Privacy and Safety > Direct Messages
Set to: Only people you follow
Prevents strangers from sending direct messages to your child.
Sensitive content filter
Location: Settings > Privacy and Safety > Content you see
Set to: Do not enable 'Display media that may contain sensitive content'
Keeps the filter active so graphic or adult content is hidden behind a warning screen.
Parent actions
Enable protected posts and review privacy settings together
Time: 10 minutes
Disable DMs from strangers
Time: 5 minutes
Discuss that posts on X are public by default and can be screenshot and shared widely
Time: 10 minutes