App review: Tumblr’s rich microblog collection can be iffy for teens
Tumblr. (Tumblr)
Screenshot from the Tumblr App. (Tumblr)
Parents need to know that Tumblr is a microblogging site showcasing a range of user-generated content including product ads, sexy images and ideas, depictions of drug use, and plenty of offensive language. (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that Tumblr is a microblogging site showcasing a range of user-generated content including product ads, sexy images and ideas, depictions of drug use, and plenty of offensive language. The terms of service specify that Tumblr should not be used by children under 13, but the app stores rate it as mature and for 17 and older. Though the keyword search does block terms such as “porn,” “f–k,” and “sex,” curious kids could stumble upon racy, and even raunchy, images and writings. There’s really everything under the sun here — positive and negative.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
After setting up an account with an email address, a username, and a password, Tumblr users must enter their age. They’re then presented with several suggested blogs to follow, or they can search by keyword to find blogs. The followed blogs then show up in a feed, and teens can like posts or reblog them so they show up on their personal blogs, with their own comments. Users can disable push notifications; otherwise, they’ll receive notification when their blogs have been liked or reblogged.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
This snazzy microblogging platform has something for everyone — except kids. Lowbrow humor abounds alongside more thoughtful content, and mature users can curate their followings according to their tastes. You won’t get the opportunity for dialogue that some blogging sites offer since, rather than commenting, readers only like a post or reblog it. Reading on the phone or tablet is easy and appealing, and posting quick blogs-on-the-go is super easy, with a graphical interface for entering text, images, quotes, links, videos, or simply a “hello” greeting. In terms of culture, you can find everything: For example, there are how-to blogs about eating disorders and support-oriented blogs about preventing them. It’s also important to note that, in the app, there’s no way to prevent people from finding your posts by searching for your email address, so the site actually provides more flexibility within the settings. Ultimately, for older teens, Tumblr can be a solid venue for self-expression, but only with keen parental discretion.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 16 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Ease of play: 3 out of 5
Violence: 3 out of 5
Sex: 4 out of 5
Language: 4 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 4 out of 5
Privacy and safety: 3 out of 5
Consumerism: 2 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
APP DETAILS
Devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Fire Phone, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone
Price: Free
Release date: June 30, 2015
Category: Social networking
Size: 29.90 MB
Publisher: Tumblr
Minimum software requirements: iOS 7.1 or later; Android 2.2 and up
