Over the last decade, I’ve had the chance to do a lot of research on what kids–and adults–are exposed to on a daily basis through the Internet: phones, tablets, computers…you name it. I should say that I don’t believe in a shock-and-awe approach; fear is not an emotion I wish to instill in readers. Being educated on what’s available, how it’s available, and to whom it’s available, however, is essential to parents so that they can have conversations with their kids about how to process information when it comes to sex and the media.
My book Five Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Their Kids and Sex releases in just under four months, so I thought I’d start a weekly conversation based on popular apps accessible to teens. This is the first post of many.
Today’s app: Buzzfeed
I’ll be the first to admit I am a sucker for taking “What is Your Kitten Superpower?” or “Which Star Wars Character would be Your Mom’s Best Frenemy?” quizzes that get populated on Facebook. I thought an quicker way to access these somewhat addicting quizzes when I’m standing in line at Costco would be to download the BuzzFeed app.
And you know, because research.
BuzzFeed’s Purpose:
According to BuzzFeed’s website, “BuzzFeed is a cross-platform, global network for news and entertainment that generates six billion views each month. BuzzFeed creates and distributes content for a global audience and utilizes proprietary technology to continuously test, learn and optimize.”
In other words, a lot of people are hooked on the entertainment value of BuzzFeed.
App Age Rating:
The BuzzFeed app, rated 12+ in various app stores, for a variety of “Infrequent/Mild,” sex and suggestive themes is a never-ending rabbit trail of mindless escapism. However, in the Terms of Service (TOS), BuzzFeed says,
“You represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under age 18, you may not, under any circumstances or for any reason, use the Services.”
You’ll see this is a common theme among apps. The TOS warrants a user has to be 18 or older to access the site, however there is no verification process for either the website or the app, and the app is not rated 17+ (as there is no 18+ or adult classification in the Apple App Store. Other app stores do have 18+/adult classifications).
What You Need to Know:
Any time you log in, prepare to be exposed to sexually explicit content.
Within a less than five minute scroll, you can see a few of the articles on the home page of the app I found and screen captured. I didn’t search for anything specific–it’s just what’s on the home page. I captured these photos in January 2016 on the home screen of the app.
Buzzfeed is Rated Ages 12+
“We Know How Many Times You’ve Had Sex This Week”
“Babysitter’s Porn an Dead Hamsters: What the **** Do You Do?” (Photo Edited by Me)
“How Much Do You Actually Know About Gay Sex?” … and more.
The Good:
BuzzFeed is Rated Ages 12+ which, if parents have downloads restricted to this age group, will prevent younger children from viewing the material. BuzzFeed can be fun. It’s a common “Listicle” (List/Article) site that gets spread around social media frequently and stays on top of current events in the media. Content stays updated frequently, never leaving anyone waiting to be entertained bored.
The Bad:
Many parents restrict app download for teens to the 12+ rating. As you can see, there is content in the BuzzFeed app that is far more explicit than most conservative adults…let alone twelve-year-olds…need or desire to see. Content about sex, nudity, pornography, body image, drugs, alcohol, religion and politics are common (if not almost exclusively populated). Even if an article is meant for adults, anyone with the app (12 years +) can access this material (and share it) easily.
Conversation Starters:
Do you know if your kids (especially teens) or their friends have the BuzzFeed app? Check it out for yourself if you’d like to know more and plan to talk to your kids about it today.
- Have you ever heard of BuzzFeed? Tell me about it.
- Has anyone ever shared something from BuzzFeed with you, or have you seen something shared on social media?
- What’s good about BuzzFeed?
- What’s bad about BuzzFeed?
- How old do you think someone should be to look at articles on BuzzFeed?
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Learn more about the book Five Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Their Kids and Sex.
