How safe are kids using social media? We did the groundwork

This research assesses how children under 13 can access sensitive or illicit content across major platforms (e.g., YouTube, Roblox, Discord, TikTok, Twitch, Instagram) through guest access or weak age verification, while noting platforms that fared better (e.g., YouTube Kids, Fortnite, Snapchat, Spotify, Messenger Kids). Findings show harmful content is generally discoverable via intentional search rather than passive recommendations, underscoring the limits of age-gating and the privacy trade-offs of stricter verification. The report concludes with practical guidance for parents on account settings, online behavior, and sustained communication to reduce exposure and risk.