Bluesky is a new social media platform aiming to reimagine how users engage online. Launched publicly in February 2024, it functions similarly to X (formerly Twitter), allowing users to follow interest-based feeds and post content in real time. While the platform claims to promote user control and customization, Bluesky poses serious safety risks for minors.
Cyber Safety Cop strongly advises parents NOT to allow their children or teens to use this app due to harmful content, online predation risks, lack of privacy protections, and the absence of meaningful parental controls.
Key Features of Bluesky
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Interest-Based Feeds – Users can follow topics they care about, from hobbies to news—but this includes adult themes and explicit content.
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Text Posts and Public Replies – Like Twitter, Bluesky is built for sharing quick thoughts and commentary.
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Private Messaging – Users can direct message each other. While this can be disabled, a child can re-enable it without parental consent.
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Public Discovery Feed – One tap gives access to trending content across all topics—often without content filtering.
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No Private Profiles – All user activity, posts, and comments are visible to the public.
Cyber Internet Safety Concerns for Parents
Harmful Content
Although Bluesky employs human moderators and uses Thorn’s Safer technology to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the platform still allows:
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Sexual content and language
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Violent or disturbing posts
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Toxic interactions and inappropriate humor in comment threads
Even if a child starts with a safe feed, the Discover tab or comments may quickly expose them to age-inappropriate material.
Predation Risks
Bluesky enables interaction with anyone on the platform:
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Strangers can reply to your child publicly or message them privately
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There’s no real protection from grooming or unwanted contact
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Profiles are never private, which means predators can easily observe and target children
Cyber Safety Cop strongly warns against allowing minors to use any app that offers private messaging, especially without robust moderation or chat restrictions.
Privacy & Data Exposure
With no private profile option, Bluesky offers no way to:
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Control who sees your child’s posts or comments
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Limit exposure to strangers
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Manage visibility of their interests or activity
This makes Bluesky especially dangerous for children who may not understand the long-term consequences of sharing personal thoughts or information online.
Parental Controls: Practically Nonexistent
Despite the app’s minimum age requirement of 13, it lacks essential safeguards:
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No parental controls
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No filters to restrict content or messaging
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No monitoring tools for parents
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Settings easily adjustable by children
In summary, parents have little to no visibility into their child’s activities or exposure on the platform.
Cyber Internet Safety Recommendations for Parents
No Smartphones Before High School
Smartphones provide access to the full internet, social media, and unfiltered content—often without meaningful restrictions. For communication, younger teens can use flip phones or smartwatches with basic calling features instead.
No Social Media Before Age 16
Social media can damage developing self-esteem, expose kids to harmful comparisons, and increase anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. Delaying access until age 16 gives teens time to build emotional resilience and self-awareness before entering these complex digital spaces.
Educate Your Child on Online Risks
Even if your teen is nearing social media age, preparation is critical:
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Teach them the risks of interacting with strangers
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Talk about how online platforms profit from attention and emotional manipulation
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Enroll them in a Digital Citizenship Course tailored to grades 4–8 to build a foundation of cyber safety
Use Parental Control Tools Like OurPact
Because Bluesky offers no internal safeguards, Cyber Safety Cop recommends:
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Blocking Bluesky entirely using a parental control app like OurPact
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Limiting screen time for all apps
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Monitoring device activity to flag concerns before they escalate
Final Verdict: Is Bluesky Safe for Kids?
No. Despite modern features and a friendly interface, Bluesky is not a safe platform for children or young teens. The public nature of the app, access to explicit content, direct messaging, and lack of parental oversight make it a high-risk environment.
Cyber Safety Cop strongly advises that no child under 18 use Bluesky. Even for older teens, strict parental monitoring is essential.
There are safer, healthier ways for kids to explore interests, socialize, and grow—without facing the dangers of platforms like Bluesky.
