Threads is a social media platform launched by Meta in 2023 – considered to be a close competitor to Twitter. Its main focus is on text-based posts and is freely available and compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. 

Threads is connected to Instagram and users can add existing Instagram followers to their new Threads accounts. Meta promises more features to come as the platform grows.

Here’s what parents need to know about Threads.

What is Threads?

With 30 million downloads in its opening 24 hours, Threads – owned by Meta, who also own Instagram – is the most rapidly downloaded app in history. Currently Threads is only available as a mobile app. 

While Instagram is a social media platform with a focus on image-based feeds, Threads is more text-based, with written posts making up the bulk of content. 

Like Instagram, the age-rating for Threads is 13+. 

How does Threads work? 

Users can only sign-up to Threads by logging in through an Instagram account. You can import your profile details (like your username, bio, and accounts you follow) directly from Instagram into Threads.

Once users have signed-up, they have the option to make their accounts ‘public’ or ‘private’. Only approved followers will be able to see and interact with your content if your account is private. 

Users can make posts of up to 500 words in length. You can also attach media and videos up to 5 minutes in length. Other users are able to comment on your posts and can also reply to one another. 

Posts can be made about a whole range of subjects – something topical that’s in the news, a personal anecdote, or even just funny memes. 

Your feed on Threads is determined by the accounts you follow and the platform’s content algorithms. These algorithms respond to the sort of posts and media you spend time viewing and interacting with.   

What do parents need to be aware of? 

Users of Threads have access to a number of safety tools and controls. These are the same tools that you’ll find on Instagram.

Parental controls and supervision

'Supervision' is a feature which links a parent’s account to their child’s. It’s designed to give parents more insight into how their child uses Threads and also offers a range of parental controls.

Via this tool you can view the time your child has spent on Threads, as well as any their new followers and any profiles they’ve blocked. 

Parents can also set daily time limits for Threads, and are able to schedule breaks for specific times of the day – like during school hours, or late in the evening. 

Supervision also allows parents to adjust their child’s privacy settings and set a 'sensitive content control'. This means that content which Threads identifies as being potentially sensitive or more suitable for mature audiences won’t be accessible.

If you’ve got the Supervision feature set up on Instagram it will automatically be applied to your Threads account.

Blocking and reporting 

You can unfollow, block, and make a report by tapping the three dots next to another’s profile or post. Any accounts which you’ve previously blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads. 

Hidden words 

Threads allows users to set up a list of ‘hidden words’. Once toggled on any replies or posts containing these words will automatically be hidden from your feed. 

You can filter out a pre-existing set of offensive words, phrases, or emojis. Alternatively you can set up a custom list of words and phrases to be hidden from your feed. 

Hidden words are easily toggled on or off in the ‘Privacy’ section of your account settings. 

Privacy 

To switch your profile to private simply go into the ‘Privacy’ section of your account settings. Once done, all new followers will need to be approved, and only your followers will be able to see your posts and replies.

Threads also lets users choose who can mention them in their posts, replies, or bio. You can set this to ‘everyone’, ‘profiles you follow’, or ‘no one’. These settings are accessed by going into ‘Privacy’, and then ‘Mentions’. 

Screen time 

Users are able to set ‘take a break’ reminders in order to help regulate their screen time use. You can set it so that the app notifies you once you’ve spent either 10, 20, or 30 minutes using Threads. This can be done through your ‘Account’ settings.

This is not the same as setting a screen time limit through Supervision, as users will not be forced to close or stop using the app once a break reminder occurs. 

What else should I know? 

It is currently not possible to delete your Threads account without first deleting your Instagram account. This is something to keep in mind if you or your child are thinking about testing Threads out. 

It’s also worth remembering that Threads is a relatively new platform, and it’s likely that new features will be added as time goes on. 

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