Is RedNote safe for teens? Here’s what parents should know

RedNote is quickly becoming the go-to app for many teens. As parents, staying informed about what RedNote is and whether it’s safe for your teen is more important than ever. Let’s break down everything you need to know.

What is RedNote?

RedNote (Xiaohongshu, or "Little Red Book" in China) is a social media platform that combines lifestyle posts with e-commerce features. Despite its recent popularity in the United States (3 million U.S. users and growing at the time of writing this!), the app is not new. RedNote actually launched in 2013 and functions like a combination of TikTok and Instagram. And like those platforms, most posts on RedNote fall into one of these categories: fashion, beauty, travel, and food.

How does RedNote work?

RedNote works like other social platforms, allowing users to share photos, short videos, and text posts. However, one notable difference is that all of the native content on RedNote is in Mandarin. While this could be a barrier for non-Mandarin speakers, the app now offers an AI-driven translation feature to connect Chinese and English-speaking users.

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Creating a RedNote account is straightforward — you can use your phone number or email address. That said, much of the app’s interface and privacy policy are still primarily in Mandarin, which can make navigation (and understanding the terms of the privacy policy) a bit challenging for non-speakers.

Once in RedNote, the platform prioritizes user interests over follower counts. This means the content you see is tailored to your preferences, making it less about popularity and more about discovering what you genuinely enjoy. RedNote’s algorithm is designed to give smaller creators visibility, which is different from how most social platforms work… and a massive draw for teens just getting started with creating content.

Is RedNote safe for teens?

Now that we’ve covered what RedNote is and how it works, let’s talk about safety. Like any social platform, RedNote comes with its own set of risks and precautions. We’ll break them down below.

Privacy concerns

Since RedNote is owned by a Chinese company, it raises concerns similar to TikTok about data privacy and possible government access to user information. The app collects user data, including location and browsing habits, and under Chinese law, the government can request this data at any time.

Content safety

RedNote is subject to Chinese content regulations, which may mean censorship. Although this might reduce the amount of inappropriate content posted, it could also mean that specific content can be blocked or taken down without warning.

Financial safety

RedNote has a built-in e-commerce platform that makes it easy for users to shop directly within the app, but that comes with potential financial risks. Impulse buys may tempt teens who are unaware of the actual cost of what they’re purchasing, or potentially, teens may share financial information with illegitimate sellers. If your teen has a Greenlight debit card, consider setting spending limits or reviewing transactions together to teach responsible money habits.

Social interaction risks

All social platforms come with the risk of exposure to strangers and potential cyberbullying for teens. But the added language barriers and cultural differences on RedNote can make it even more challenging for teens to handle these situations safely.

RedNote tips for parents

Parents’ guidance is crucial for ensuring teens use RedNote safely. Here are some tips to help you effectively navigate this platform with your teen.

• Use an unlinked email. Instead of allowing RedNote to link your teen’s account to other platforms like Facebook or Google, create a new email address to use only for RedNote before creating an account on the app. This can help protect personal data.

• Use Teen Mode. Activate Teen Mode on your child’s RedNote account for features like content filtering and usage restrictions.

• Monitor usage. Even with Teen Mode enabled, it’s still important to keep an eye on how your teen uses the app. Check in with them regularly.

• Stay informed. Explore RedNote’s features with your teen, and discuss the importance of not sharing personal information while being cautious about interactions with people they don’t know.

• Set boundaries. Create guidelines with your teen for screen time and app usage, and, as always, encourage a healthy balance between online and offline activities. 

• Watch for updates. RedNote's privacy policies can change, and there may be developments related to national security concerns, so stay in the loop.

While many teens find RedNote appealing for a number of reasons, parents need to be aware of potential privacy and security concerns. Communicate with your teen and monitor their activity to help keep their experience positive and safe. 

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