Is Mastodon Safe For Kids?
Mastodon vs Twitter
What is Mastodon? How does it compare to Twitter? Is it safe for Teens?
If you've been seeing cute "Wooly Mammoths" or Mastodons popping up in posts on social media recently, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. Maybe you have recently heard about Mastodon in the press and are confused about what it has to do with Twitter. You may have heard that it's a social media platform, but not sure if it's similar to Twitter or how it works.
In this post, we'll take a closer look at Mastodon and also if it is appropriate for teens.
Twitter vs Mastodon
In recent months, more and more people have been leaving Twitter for another similar-looking platform called Mastodon.
With the recent acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, moderation policies seem to have been reduced, leading to more harassment and hate speech. Some previously banned users are being allowed to return to the platform, increasing the likelihood that Twitter will only worsen.
As a result, many users have migrated from Twitter to a more community-minded Mastodon, and the platform has seen significant growth in recent months.
What Is Mastodon?
As a long-time eSafety and privacy advocate, finding a social media platform that prioritizes safety and community is exciting.
Mastodon was created by a German software developer named Eugen Rochko in 2016. Rochko started Mastodon as an alternative to centralized social media platforms like Twitter. The platform was first released to the public in April 2016 and has since grown in popularity among users looking for a more positive and supportive online experience. Mastodon's decentralized structure allows users to join different "instances" or servers. They each have their own rules and moderation policies, giving users more control over their experience. Mastodon hopes to be owned by the community and volunteers who may crowdfund their servers via their users. Eugene Rock, the creator of Mastodon, is determined that there will never be an "Elon Musk" like take over.
Safety And Community
Eugene Rock envisioned that each "instance" or server would moderate their users and help protect them by blocking other servers or "instances" that break their policies. There is no advertising model or algorithm on Mastodon. Each post lands in order of time posted.
You can easily report a user or post for offensive behaviour. The moderators, who are voluntary group members, will act on the report according to the "Instances" policies.
"Content Warnings" are encouraged far more than on other platforms to protect users from seeing something they don't want to see. A content warning might be for a news or political post or something relating to self-harm.
In addition to being a safer place than some other social media apps, Mastodon is also a very supportive community. Many users have found the platform a great place to connect with others with similar interests. Many groups and communities are dedicated to different topics, from technology to art, where users can share advice and support.
Inclusion is encouraged to help make the space accessible for all people despite ability. Images are encouraged to have descriptive text to ensure access by vision-challenged users.
Is Mastodon Suitable For Children?
Mastodon is not recommended for children. It is rated for users aged 17 and older due to its open and decentralized nature. Therefore there are no parental controls.
While Mastodon does have strict guidelines against hate speech and harassment, and many "instances" have their own moderation policies, parents need to be aware that there may be content on the platform that is not suitable for children.
"Digital Families Counselling" tip: Always be aware of your privacy settings and monitor your activity on any social media platform, including Mastodon. Direct messages on Mastodon are not encrypted and may be read and seen by moderation staff.