Keeping Teens Safe on Messaging Apps: A Parent's Guide

Messengers are where teenagers socialise. Rather than banning them, set them up safely and keep talking.

#Settings to set up together

In Yapie, **Settings › Privacy & security**: - **Who can message me:** Only my contacts (or Everybody via Requests, so strangers' messages wait separately with links disabled). - **Who can call me:** My contacts. - **Who can add me to groups:** My contacts. - **Last seen, profile photo, bio:** My contacts. - **Two-step verification:** on.

#Teach the Requests inbox

Explain that messages from people they don't know arrive in **Requests**. They should **never accept** someone they haven't met in real life, and can **Report and block** with one tap.

#Talk about the big risks

- **Strangers pretending to be teens.** People online aren't always who they say. - **Sextortion and photo sharing.** Once a photo is sent, you lose control of it — even with view-once. If someone threatens them, they should stop replying, keep evidence and tell you. - **Scams.** Gaming currency, "free" phones, sharing codes. See [the OTP scam](/blog/otp-scam-never-share-codes). - **Group pressure.** They can leave any group.

#Make it safe to tell you

The most important protection is a teen who will come to you when something feels wrong. Promise you won't take their phone away for telling you.

#If something goes wrong

1. **Don't delete** — screenshot evidence first. 2. **Report and block** the account. 3. Contact **support** via Settings › Help & support (topic: Report abuse / safety). 4. For threats or exploitation, contact **local authorities**.

#Age requirements

Yapie isn't intended for children under 13 (or the minimum age in your country).

#Frequently asked questions

What privacy settings should my teen use?

Contacts-only for messages, calls and group adds; contacts-only for last seen and profile photo; and two-step verification on.

How can my child block someone?

Open the chat or profile and tap Block, or use Report and block in the Requests inbox.

What if someone threatens to share my child's photos?

Stop replying, keep screenshots, report the account, and contact the authorities.