Social networking and gaming applications enable people to interact with one another online. Here's a description of some common ones young people use.

Snapchat

Snapchat is a mobile application that allows users to take photos and videos that can be edited and sent to Snapchat users. The user can put a time limit on the duration a photo or video is shared with the recipient before it is deleted and can no longer be viewed on Snapchat. Although the photo or video disappears, recipients of the message can take a screenshot of the photo. The sender is notified if this happens.

Does Snapchat have an age requirement for usage?

Snapchat requires its users to be 13 years of age or older. For certain features and functions users must be at least 18 years of age.

Can bullying be reported on Snapchat?

Snapchat has options to report abusive or offensive material. You can also follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Facebook

Facebook is a social networking application that allows its members to connect with fellow users and organisations by sharing content such as photos, videos, written posts and messages. It is the most popular social networking application.

Does Facebook have an age requirement for usage?

Facebook is available to people who are 13 years of age or older.

Can bullying be reported on Facebook?

Facebook has options to report any abusive or offensive material. You can also follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Instagram

Instagram is a photo-sharing application that allows users to post photos and videos to their profiles either publically or privately. Like Snapchat, Instagram allows users to post photos and videos to their profile “story” which can be viewed for 24 hours before being deleted.

Does Instagram have an age requirement for usage?

Instagram is intended for people over the age of 13. It is not possible to register for an Instagram account on the website. Users will need to download the application from the App or Google Play store.

Can bullying be reported on Instagram?

Instagram contains options to report any abusive or offensive material. You can also follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a cross-platform mobile messaging application that allows users to send text, voice, multimedia messages and make phone calls using internet data. Users are able to create their own private groups from their phone contact list. WhatsApp can be used on both mobile devices and computers.

Does WhatsApp have an age requirement for usage?

WhatsApp is available for anyone to use as long as you are over the age of 13 and agree to comply with the Terms of Service

Can bullying be reported on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp contains options to report any abusive or offensive material. You can also follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Twitter

Twitter is a social networking application that allows its users to send 240-character texts known as “tweets”. Tweets can be seen by anyone unless your account is set to private. Users who “follow” each other are also able to send direct messages via an inbox.

Does Twitter have an age requirement for usage?

Twitter does not have an explicit age requirement. However, Twitter states that they do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13, and if they become aware that a child under 13 has provided personal information, Twitter will take steps to remove such information and delete the child's account.

Can bullying be reported on Twitter?

Twitter has options within the service to report any abusive or offensive material. You can follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Facebook Messenger

Messenger allows Facebook accounts to directly communicate with each other via text, multimedia, voice and video calls. Messenger also allows for encrypted conversations known as ‘Secret Messages’ in which only the person you are messaging is able to see the content.

Does Facebook Messenger have an age requirement for usage?

To use Facebook Messenger you must be 13 years of age or older and have a Facebook account.

Can bullying be reported on Facebook Messenger?

Facebook Messenger has options within the service to report any abusive or offensive material, or you can follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Tumblr

Tumblr is a website that provides a platform for users to post multimedia in a short blog form. Tumblr users can follow other bloggers or can search for relevant posts using keywords. All accounts on Tumblr are public.

Does Tumblr have an age requirement for usage?

Tumblr is available to users who are 13 and older.

Can bullying be reported on Tumblr?

Tumblr has options within the service to report any abusive or offensive material. You can also follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

YouTube

YouTube is a user-generated video sharing application that allows people to view, share and comment on videos from all around the world. It is the second most visited website on the Internet after Google.

Does YouTube have an age requirement for usage?

YouTube requires its users to be 13 years of age or older. Some videos can only be viewed by users over 18 years old.

How can bullying be reported on YouTube?

YouTube has options within the service to report any abusive or offensive material, or you can follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Sarahah

Sarahah is an application that allows users to create an account to send and receive anonymous messages from other profiles. The application was originally created for users to receive anonymous feedback from one another. However it has now become a medium for anonymous online bullying.

Does Sarahah have an age requirement for usage?

Sarahah's Terms and Conditions do not specify a minimum age requirement. The Apple iTunes store specifies that users must be 17 years of age.

Can bullying be reported on Sarahah?

Sarahah offers no reporting function for abusive or offensive material.

TikTok

TikTok is an application that allows users access to unrestricted music to edit, create, and share 15 second videos. Tiktok also provides live video streaming that users can share with their followers. Content can be shared privately or publicly, including on other social media platforms.

Does Tiktok have an age requirement for usage?

Tiktok is intended for users over the age of 13 and contains a content warning which can be found on The eSafety Commissioner website.

Can bullying be reported on Tiktok?

Tiktok contains options to report any abusive or offensive material. You can also follow the steps by The eSafety Commissioner.

ASKfm

ASKfm is a social networking site that allows users to create profiles and post questions. The posts can be anonymous. Photo polling can be used where other users rate pictures based on questions being asked. ASKfm users can also post questions to other profiles in their local area using a feature called "Shoutout" which uses information from the location settings on users' devices.

Does ASKfm have an age requirement for usage?

ASKfm is intended for users over the age of 13.

Can bullying be reported on ASKfm?

ASKfm has options to report any abusive or offensive material. You can also follow the steps by The eSafety Commissioner.

Fortnite Battle Royale

Fortnite Battle Royale is a popular third person shooter game, in which up to 100 players compete against each other online to be the last person standing with each game lasting 20 minutes. In the game players are dropped onto an island alone, or in a team of up to four player (players can choose the members of their team or be randomly selected). Players can communicate with each other via talk and text within the game. Fortnite Battle Royale can be downloaded on PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation and iOS devices (soon to be available on Android).

Does Fortnite Battle Royale have an age requirement for usage?

Fortnite is not recommended for people under 12 years of age, however no age needs to be provided to play online.

Can bullying be reported on Fortnite Battle Royale?

Fortnite Battle Royale has instructions to report any abusive or offensive material. You can follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Roblox

Roblox is the largest user-generated online gaming platform. It allows users to create gams and share them with fellow players. Roblox provides users a platform to play, chat and collaborate. Users can monetize their creations to earn a virtual currency which can be used to purchase in-game accessories and or abilities.

Does Roblox have an age requirement for usage?

Roblox is designed for 8 to 18 year olds, but it is open to people of all ages.

Can bullying be reported on Roblox?

Roblox has options to report any abusive, offensive or suspicious material. You can also follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Yubo

Yubo is a social networking application that allows young people (13 years of age and over) to connect and make friends with other users. Yubo users can become friends by swiping right on the profiles of other users. Users are able to direct message their friends, enter group chats and live stream videos. Live streams on Yubo can be seen and interacted with by all users, even if they aren't a friend.

Does Yubo have an age requirement for usage?

Yubo is available to people who are 13 years of age or older.

Can bullying be reported on Yubo?

Yubo has options to report any abusive, offensive or suspicious material. You can also follow the steps provided by The eSafety Commissioner.

Further information

Further information is available on the eSafety Commissioner website in the eSafety Guide. You will also find information on gaming, age and readiness, hard to have conversations and parent resources.