eSAFETY GUIDE
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Threads

13+
Minimum age according to Threads
13+ Minimum age according to Threads

What is Threads?

Threads is a microblogging platform developed by Meta. It is similar to X ([https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/twitter]Twitter)[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/twitter]. The app allows you to post messages of up to 500 characters and include links, photos and videos up to five minutes long. You can like, repost, reply to or quote a ‘thread’, and the number of likes and replies a post receives is shown.

You must have an Instagram[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/instagram] account to log in and adhere to Instagram’s Community Guidelines on behaviour. You can unfollow, block, restrict and report a profile, and you can also control who can mention you and filter out replies that contain certain words.

Threads accounts are open to the public by default unless you are 16 (or 18 in certain countries), in which case your account will be set to private by default. You can choose to make your account public or private, meaning it is only visible to people you follow. Using Threads is free but a lot of personal data on users is collected.

Website: threads.netExternal link[https://www.threads.net/]
Apps: Android appExternal link[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.barcelona], Apple iOS appExternal link[https://apps.apple.com/au/app/threads-an-instagram-app/id6446901002]

How do people use Threads?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use content sharing services like Threads.

Threads is used for: content sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/content-sharing], location sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/location-sharing], messaging/online chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/messaging-online-chat], online relationships[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/online-relationships], photo/video sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/photo-video-sharing] and screen capture[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/online-tools-and-features/screen-capture].

How can you report online abuse, ask for content to be removed or block someone?

These links are provided by Threads:

  • Safety and reportingExternal link[https://help.instagram.com/179980294969821]
    Advice on how to report something, remove a follower or block someone on Threads is on the Threads help page.
  • Restrict someoneExternal link[https://help.instagram.com/179980294969821]
    Advice on how to restrict someone, meaning you won’t receive any more notifications about that person even if they like, reply, repost or quote your content, is on the Threads help page.

How can you moderate comments and tagging?

These links are provided by Threads:

How can you protect your personal information?

This link is provided by Threads:

Key safety links

These links are provided by Threads:

Last updated: 04/06/2024

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parentsExternal link, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and appsExternal link and mental wellbeing resources for familiesExternal link.