Pinterest is for people 13 and older, and it has some of the stronger default protections for teens among social apps: anyone under 18 has a private profile that strangers can’t discover, and teens under 16 can only message mutual followers. It’s a reasonable choice for many teens, especially with a parent helping set it up.
Fast Facts About Pinterest
- You must be at least 13 to use Pinterest.[1]
- Pinterest is rated 13+ on the App Store.[2]
- Profiles of users under 18 are private and not discoverable.[1]
- Users under 16 can only message mutual followers, and their boards and Pins are visible only to people they invite.[1]
- Parents can help lock certain account, privacy and social settings.[1]
How Old Do You Have to Be to Use Pinterest?
Pinterest requires users to be at least 13, and children under its minimum age for their location can’t open an account.[1] The App Store rates it 13+.[2] Settings depend on the birthday entered, so make sure your teen’s is correct.[1]
Pinterest Teen Safety Settings
| Setting | Ages 13 to 15 | Ages 16 to 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Profile[1] | Private and not discoverable | Private by default; can choose to change it |
| Boards and Pins[1] | Visible only to them and people they invite | Depends on their settings |
| Messages[1] | Only with mutual followers | Settings widen with age |
| Comments on their own Pins[1] | Off by default until 18 | Off by default until 18 |
| Business account[1] | Not allowed | Allowed, and public |
Teens can only be added to a group chat by people they follow who follow them back.[1] Pinterest has also tested reminders that appear during the school day, suggesting teens put down the phone and pause notifications.[1]
What Are the Risks on Pinterest?
Content. Pinterest is built on search and recommendations, so what your teen sees depends partly on what they look for. Talk about what to do if something upsetting shows up, and how to report it.[1]
Comments and messages. The teen defaults limit contact, but comments your teen leaves on other people’s Pins can be seen by others.[1]
Scams. Like any social platform, Pinterest has ads and links that lead elsewhere. Social media is where 1 in 4 reported fraud losses began, most often with a shopping ad.[3]
Time. Endless inspiration can mean endless scrolling. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests watching whether media crowds out sleep, school and activities.[4]
How to Set Up Pinterest for Your Teen
- Check the birthday on the account, since the protections depend on age.[1]
- Lock key settings together. Pinterest lets parents work with their teen to lock certain settings related to account management, privacy and data, and social permissions.[1]
- Keep the profile private and leave comments off on their own Pins.[1]
- Show them how to report and block. Reports can usually be made anonymously, and blocked people can’t follow, message or interact with your teen’s Pins.[1]
- Approve the download. On iPhone and iPad, Ask to Buy sends you a request first.[5]
Take the 2-minute Online Safety Check
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pinterest safe for a 12-year-old?
Pinterest requires users to be at least 13, so it isn’t meant for 12-year-olds.[1]
Can strangers message my child on Pinterest?
Not if your child is under 16: they can only message mutual followers, and only mutual followers can add them to group chats.[1]
Does Pinterest have parental controls?
Yes. Parents can work with their teen to lock certain account, privacy and social settings.[1]
Is a teen’s Pinterest profile private?
Yes. Profiles of users under 18 are private and not discoverable. Teens 16 and older can choose to change that.[1]
Related Guides
- Instagram safety guide for parents
- TikTok safety guide for parents
- Is Snapchat safe for kids?
- iPhone parental controls
Sources
- Pinterest Help. (n.d.). Teen Safety Options. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Apple. (n.d.). Pinterest on the App Store (age rating 13+). Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission. (2023, October). Social Media: A Golden Goose for Scammers (Data Spotlight).
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024). Kids and Screen Time: The 5 C’s Questions for Young Teens. HealthyChildren.org.
- Apple Support. (2026, September 14). Approve What Your Child Can Purchase and Download With Ask to Buy.
About this information
Pinterest, iPhone, Instagram and other product names mentioned on this page are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by those companies, and we use their names only to identify the products we discuss. This information reflects our understanding, based on public sources, as of the last update to this page.