Navigating the maze of social media platforms can be a challenging task for parents. One of the newest apps to enter the market, Lemon8, developed by ByteDance, the creators of TikTok, is quickly gaining traction among the younger demographic. Described as a blend of Instagram and Pinterest, Lemon8 provides a digital space for users to explore, share, and engage with lifestyle-focused content such as food, fitness, and fashion. 

As with any social media platform, it is important for parents to understand the pros and cons, safety measures, and potential risks associated with their child's usage. This blog post aims to provide parents with an in-depth understanding of Lemon8, including its safety features (or lack thereof), ways to monitor and limit usage, and how to encourage safe online behavior.

Parent & Student Video

What is Lemon8?

• Lemon8 is a new social media app developed by ByteDance, TikTok's parent company
• Many describe Lemon8 as a lifestyle app that functions as a cross between Instagram and Pinterest and focuses mainly on content such as fashion, food, fitness, etc
• Users can explore others’ posts, create and post their own posts, or scroll through the “For You” section that has been personalized based on the Lemon8 algorithm

Is Lemon8 safe for kids?

• Lemon8 is owned by the same Chinese parent company that owns TikTok and the same security and data collection concerns surrounding TikTok also apply to Lemon8 (Source: ABC News)
• Like TikTok, the Lemon8 app has a never ending stream of photos and videos to offer users which can make the app addictive and very difficult to manage screen time usage
• Users cannot set up a private account, everything a student posts will be public
• There are no parental controls built into the Lemon8 app
• Lemon8 states that they “do not allow users who have been convicted of crimes against children to have an account”, however, it is not clear how they are verifying this information. They state that they will ban accounts if they discover the user has been convicted of any crimes against children and “any self-disclosed user information that states the account holder is a pedophile or minor sex offender will be taken at face value and the account may be deleted” (Source: Lemon8)

What can parents and educators do?

• Use the parental controls built into your specific device to set app time limits for daily Lemon8 usage or use a third-party app to help monitor the content that is being shown to students
• Remind students to never share personal or private information while posting on the app or with strangers
• Create a social media agreement with your student to help establish rules and expectations surrounding social media and device usage

Additional Lemon8 information

• With a heavy emphasis on fashion, beauty, food, and wellness, Lemon8 could perpetuate a “toxic” diet culture among students and have negative mental health effects (Source: healthline)
• Content on Lemon8 can still be viewed without setting up an account, but the user cannot interact with the content or other users without registering
• Mature content including nudity can be found on the app

What is Lemon8 rated?

Owned by Heliophilia Pte. Ltd (ByteDance), Based in China

Apple App Store Rating: 12+

Google Play Rating: T (Teen)

Examples of Lemon8 in the news

ByteDance is seemingly heading in a more subliminal direction, knowing it’s easier to sell you something when you don’t think you’re being sold. - Gizmodo

The app, called Lemon8, is likely to face some of the same scrutiny as TikTok, which has been dogged by claims the Chinese government could force its parent company ByteDance to hand over U.S. user data or push misinformation on the platform. - Fortune

Privacy/setting recommendations for Lemon8

• There are very few privacy or safety options but users can prevent Lemon8 from using their posts in promotional materials by going to “settings," then “account” and then clicking the slider to turn it green next to “Disallow Lemon8 to use my posts”
• Users can prevent others from seeing the posts that they have liked by going to “settings”, “privacy”, and clicking the slider to turn it green next to “hide liked posts”
  

Conclusion

In this ever-changing digital world, apps like Lemon8 are continuously reshaping the social media landscape. While Lemon8 offers an innovative platform for digital interaction for students, it's important for parents and students to understand the pros and cons of the app.

More resources for parents, students, & educators

TikTok Guide for Parents: What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know

Alternatives to TikTok: Short Form Video Guide for Parents, Educators, & Students

Instagram App Guide: What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know