Is Rednote Safe for Kids? A Detailed Guide

With the ban on TikTok, more than 100 million people downloaded the RedNote app in a week. It is a popular app in China that offers a mix of eCommerce and user-generated content. However, with the ban of TikTok, it became the most downloaded app on the Apple App Store in America. That said, most of the population is teens, and “Is RedNote safe for kids” is heavily searched on Google.

Well, the answer to whether RedNote is safe is no. This guide details the reason and answers whether it is safer than TikTok. It also provides tips for parents to follow if they allow their kids to use the app.  

Part 1: Is RedNote Safe for Kids?

No, RedNote is not safe for kids. Before detailing the reason, let’s understand what RedNote is. Also known as Xiaohongshu in China, it is a social media platform launched in 2013 that is perceived as a mix of TikTok and Instagram.

Until recently, this Chinese app was popular amongst Mandarin-speaking users, but the TikTok ban saw a surge in downloads in America, especially among teens. Let's find out if RedNote is safe:

1Suitable age

To access RedNote, your kids must be aged 13 and above. However, no measures exist to validate the age, and younger teens still might use the app. 

2Content safety

RedNote, as mentioned earlier, is a Chinese version of TikTok. You can expect user-generated content in photos and videos. Its built-in algorithm displays content similar to one’s interests or in a random order. There’s a chance that your kid might be exposed to inappropriate, harmful, and disturbing content. So, it’d be better that your kids stay away from it.

3Privacy

While RedNote seems like a like-for-like replacement for TikTok, there are many issues if you look under the surface. To start, the terms and conditions are not clear. It’s primarily written in Mandarin, so people, especially kids, won’t understand what they are agreeing to. This lack of transparency raises a big question on how the app collects data.

Besides, the app collects a ton of information. It includes your location, device details, and browsing activity. This might be standard for most social media apps, but RedNote lacks clarity about data practices.

4Online predation

Similar to TikTok, the primary risk of using RedNote is predation. Users can interact with strangers on this platform through comments, direct messages, and even live streams. So, strangers can easily approach your child, especially if their profile shares personal information and is not privacy-protected.

5Does RedNote have parental control?

The RedNote app has a Teen Mode, but as most of it is in Chinese, you might find it difficult to enable or disable it. The safety controls aren’t very robust. The features include prioritizing educational content, limiting usage to 40 minutes, and between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Part 2: Is RedNote a Safe Alternative to Tiktok?

The answer is no. Despite its controversies, TikTok was transparent about its data collection practices. Users know how the app encrypts and shares data with its corporate group.

On the other hand, RedNote’s privacy policy is unclear and leaves more questions than answers. The lack of clearly defined protections makes it difficult for parents to determine whether it prioritizes user safety.

So, the question is whether using RedNote is worth the risk. The answer is no. The lack of transparency makes users question its safety. However, RedNote can become a safe alternative to TikTok if it clarifies the policies in the future.

Part 3: What Can Parents Do If Allow Kids Use RedNote

Even after reading through the RedNote app review, you allow kids to use RedNote, and you must be careful. Here is what to do:

1Review App Permissions

Before your kids scroll through the content, closely review the app permissions. Check whether the app requires access to your location, contacts, or microphone. If you don’t find the need to provide any permissions, disable them. 

2Avoid Linking with any Social Media Accounts

Like TikTok, RedNote lets you quickly log in using your social media accounts, such as Google or Facebook. Although convenient, you expose more of your personal data to the platform. So, instead, you can create a separate email ID for your child and use it to log into the app. This way, you can ensure the safety of your kids’ personal data.

3Check what they Post

This might sound obvious, but it’s crucial to monitor what your child posts on RedNote. Ensure your child doesn’t share anything personal, like financial details or location. Also, use the translator to access and turn on Teen Mode, which will limit the app's use.

4Have a Conversation

This is probably the most critical step. Start by asking what kids like about the app and why they use it. It will provide insight into their interests and what they browse online. Remind them that sharing personal information with strangers isn't wise, and inform them what type of content might be dangerous.

5Monitor the Usage

You can create an account and check what your child is posting. But this way, you won’t see whom they are talking to. The best method is to use third-party apps specially designed for this purpose.

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KidsGuard for Children offers an intuitive phone monitoring solution that makes accessing the target’s phone a breeze. This will provide a complete overview of what your kid watches on RedNote, their conversations, and what they upload. You can monitor your child’s phone in real-time without being detected. The best part is that you can remotely block the app if needed.

FAQ about RedNote Safety

1. Is RedNote safe to use?

No. RedNote might seem like a quick alternative to TikTok but it poses serious privacy and cybersecurity risks. Therefore, it’s crucial to be careful when using the app.

2. Is RedNote Chinese TikTok?

No. DouYin is the Chinese version's TikTok. Similar to TikTok, it lets users watch short videos created by the creators.

3. How safe is the RedNote app?

The privacy and data collection policy of the RedNote app is not clear. Therefore, the chances are that your personal data might be compromised.

4. Is the app be real safe for kids?

No. RedNote works in the same way as TikTok so that kids might be exposed to any disturbing, harmful, or inappropriate content. And the chances are that online predators bully them or extract personal information.

Conclusion

The answer to is RedNote is safe for kids is negative. The reason is apparent: the platform isn’t transparent about its privacy and data collection policies, leaving users guessing. Besides, similar to TikTok, your child can be exposed to unwanted content and predators. If your kids plan to use the app, monitor their activities using the KidsGuard for Children phone monitoring tool. In addition to monitoring the app, you can monitor your kids’ online activities and ensure their safety.

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