Is Reddit safe for my teenager?

Reddit contains a wide range of content including material inappropriate for young people. We recommend it for ages 16+ with appropriate settings. If your teen uses it younger, disable NSFW content and discuss content evaluation critically.

Can I control which subreddits my teen sees?

Reddit's parental controls are limited. The most important step is enabling the NSFW filter in their account settings and reviewing the subreddits they have joined. Discuss the difference between moderated and unmoderated communities, and that an upvoted post is not the same as a verified one.

What should I do if there is a problem on this app?

Use the app's in-app report and block tools first — this is usually the fastest way to remove content or restrict an account. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101. The NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) and Childline (0800 1111) are free and confidential. For a UK reporting decision tree, see /reporting and /tools/reporting-route-finder.

Reddit Safety Guide

Understanding Reddit's risks for young people, including content exposure, anonymity, and community dynamics.

Official age

13+

We recommend

16+

Developer

Reddit Inc.

Risks

Direct messaging

In-app purchases

Live streaming

Overview

Reddit is a discussion platform organised into communities called 'subreddits'. It contains content on virtually every topic, including many that are inappropriate for children. Unlike social media, Reddit is primarily anonymous, which changes the risk profile.

How children use it

Teenagers use Reddit for gaming communities, fandoms, memes, homework help, revision tips, and interest-based discussions on subjects from music production to football tactics. The pseudonymous nature appeals to teens who want to ask questions about awkward topics — friendships, school, body changes, mental health — without their identity being known. Older teens use it to follow niche hobbies, get product opinions before a purchase, and browse Reddit through aggregator subreddits and recommended posts. Many do not realise that even a 'throwaway' username can be linked back to other posts via Reddit's public history, and that the recommended-feed algorithm can quickly surface adult, distressing, or extremist content from neighbouring communities.

Main risks

harmful content online strangers privacy oversharing

Recommended privacy settings

Content visibility

Location: Settings > Feed Settings > Adult Content

Set to: Off

Prevents NSFW (not safe for work) content from appearing in feeds.

Chat and messaging

Location: Settings > Chat & Messaging > Who can send you chat requests

Set to: Nobody or Accounts older than 30 days

Limits who can send direct messages.

Profile visibility

Location: Settings > Account > Profile visibility

Set to: Off for sensitive options

Controls what information is visible on your child's profile.

Parent actions

essential

Discuss that Reddit contains adult content and is best for 16+

Time: 5 minutes

essential

Disable NSFW content in settings

Time: 2 minutes

recommended

Discuss anonymity — it doesn't mean safety

Time: 5 minutes

Related app guides

discord twitch

If you need to report this

In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.

Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.

See all UK reporting pathways

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Safety Topic

Harmful Content

Last reviewed: 2026-06-14

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