Study Finds 60 Percent of Social Media Safety Tools for Children Fall Short

A study released this week examined 86 safety features across Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube and concluded that roughly 60 percent did not meet the standards the companies had set for them. The 58-page report, prepared by the Heat Initiative and the Cybersafety Research Center, used a two-part test: each tool had to work as described and had to be reachable by a child user.

Researchers found that simple misspellings or incomplete search terms allowed children to bypass blocks on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat for queries related to eating disorders. YouTube blocked harmful search results in the tests but permitted access after a user confirmed they wanted to view sensitive material.

Ten conduct-related tools intended to limit harmful interactions between users failed on all four platforms.

A Meta spokesperson said the report was fundamentally flawed and demonstrated a basic misunderstanding of how the tools work. The company stated that users searching for eating-disorder content are directed to support resources and that Teen Accounts have reduced exposure to sensitive material.

A Snap spokesperson said many findings were based on deliberate bypass attempts not typical of normal use and that the company continues to strengthen protections. A TikTok U.S. spokesperson said teen accounts include more than 50 preset safety settings and that an internal review confirmed the tools function as intended.

A YouTube spokesperson noted that 84 percent of parents who have used its supervised account tools said the features give them confidence their children are in a safer environment.

Social media companies face a growing number of legal challenges over the effects of their platforms on minors. Earlier this year a California jury found YouTube and Meta liable for designing platforms that are addictive for minors. Last month the House of Representatives passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act.

Supporters said the measure would increase protections for children online, while critics raised concerns about privacy and free speech.

Experts said parents can require children to share account passwords, set clear expectations before granting access, and link time limits to specific events such as completion of homework. They also recommended that parents learn the features of each platform and have ongoing conversations with their children about online behavior.