Webtoon Safety Guide for Parents
What parents need to know about Naver's Webtoon comics platform, including mature content tiers, comment culture, fast-pass spend, and fan-art DM solicitations.
Official age
13+
We recommend
14+
Developer
Naver Webtoon
Risks
4
Overview
Webtoon is Naver's vertical-scroll comics platform, where amateur and professional creators publish serialised stories - romance, fantasy, action, thriller, slice-of-life - episode by episode. It has a very large UK teen audience and the catalogue spans ratings from G to M, with the M tier reserved for sexual content, graphic violence, and strong themes. Webtoon also runs Canvas, a self-publishing tier with looser editorial moderation. The platform monetises through coins and a Fast Pass system that lets readers unlock upcoming episodes early.
How children use it
Teenage readers follow specific series, set up daily release reminders, scroll the recommendations feed, and write comments under each episode. Many also draw fan art and post it to Webtoon, Instagram, or X with their handle visible, which can attract DM contact from older readers and would-be 'collaborators'. Older teens may publish their own Canvas series and become very focused on subscriber growth and coin rewards. Spending tends to spike around series finales when Fast Pass demand is highest.
Main risks
Recommended privacy settings
Mature Content Gate
Location: Settings -> Account -> Show mature content
Set to: Off
Hides M-rated series from search and recommendations. The default protection - keep this off for under-18 readers.
Profile Visibility
Location: Profile -> Edit profile
Set to: No real name, no school, no city
Young fan artists often add identifying details to their profile. Encourage a pen name and remove school, age, and location.
Push Notifications
Location: Settings -> Notifications
Set to: Limit to favourite series only
Reduces compulsive checking and Fast Pass spend pressure around new releases.
In-App Purchases
Location: Phone Settings -> Screen Time / Family Link -> Purchases
Set to: Require approval
Coin bundles are easy to repeat-buy, particularly around series finales. Approval-required purchases are essential.
Comment Reporting
Location: Long-press a comment -> Report
Set to: Use immediately for hostile or sexual comments
Reporting is the primary moderation route. Show your child how to report, block, and turn off replies on their own comments.
Parent actions
Confirm the mature content gate is off and lock purchases behind device-level parental approval before your child opens the app
Time: 15 minutes
Read one of your child's favourite series alongside them so you know the tone, art style, and the comment culture of that fandom
Time: 30 minutes
Agree a pen name for any fan art or Canvas publishing - no school, age, or real name in the profile
Time: 10 minutes
Talk about adults messaging young fan artists with 'collaboration' or 'commission' offers - these can be cover for grooming
Time: 15 minutes
Agree a monthly coin budget so Fast Pass spend is bounded - and that finale-week 'just one more episode' is the most likely overspend
Time: 10 minutes
Related app guides
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-22