Pinterest advice

[BambooPaper]

DD 15 is very into Pinterest. She posts and looks at it several times a week. It's all about fashion and motivational content for her. She has about 1500 followers. She makes sure there is nothing identifying in her content and has a completely made up profile name.

She talks about using Pinterest in a sound and responsible way and she likes it as she finds it creative. She leaves positive comments on other poster's content. But: I have niggling doubts about the safety of all this. Am I being naive to let her go on Pinterest in this way? What are the main dangers and should I just put an end to it? I don't use Pinterest myself and feel unable to judge how safe it is to use.

This sounds like one of the more positive uses of social media for a teenager. A creative outlet is a good thing, and Pinterest isn't really known for some of the less positive behaviours you can encounter on platforms like Snapchat or Instagram or Tiktok.

It sounds like she is sharing things she likes (which is typical usage) rather than pictures of herself. She has built a large following, which is something to be proud of but understandably a little concerning for you.

One thing you might want to consider is disabling the ability to direct message on there. Keep talking to her about it, and check that she isn't equating large followers/lots of likes with self esteem/approval. Other than that I think this is OK.

Pinterest is nothing like TikTok or Snapchat. She sounds like she is using it appropriately. The only thing I'd suggest is not posting pictures of her face if uploading her own photos.

Mostly Pinterest is like a pin board/vision board where you pin things you are interested in like recipes, fashion styles, children's activities etc and then you can follow the link from the pin to whichever blog it relates too.

Thank you, we talk about not posting anything identifying including photos of herself. I have also explained that accounts she is following may not necessarily be other girls her age into the same stuff as her and that some overly positive or complimentary comments could be potential attempts at grooming. And to take it all with a huge pinch of salt. I have no idea if this is a large following, I'm not too into social media myself. I'll have to see how to turn off the option to send direct messages. She also occasionally joins groups with other users who post similar things, e.g. fashion, lifestyle, motivational stuff. I'm just worried that she could be open to grooming if I don't keep a very close eye on things, which isn't always possible as I work full time.

At 15 she needs to venture 'out' on her own. The best you can do is educate her and keep lines of communication open. Watch for changes in behaviour, obsessiveness etc and check in with her mental health and how likes (or not) impact her. Learning to communicate and collaborate in the digital world is going to be an essential work skill.

Obviously grooming can happen anywhere but I don't think Pinterest would be the social media of choice for most when there is such easy pickings on TikTok with young girls putting their vulnerabilities out into the world and inviting the world back in by doing videos in the bedroom etc.

I always thought that Pinterest was like a vision board, but then it was specifically named in the Molly Russell inquest. I was pretty shocked to hear this.
I guess it's important to remember, as with anything on the Internet, some of it used for good and some unfortunately for bad.
I guess keep the channels of communication open on the subject and keep reviewing it.