., click here to update your profile and earn points towards a Starbucks gift card

Learn more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

LINE App: Avatars, Stickers, and Hidden Chats

., you're logged in!
Enjoy this resource and share our programs with your school district to send these resources to your whole community
Tell Your School District About Our Program
., you're logged in!
Share this resource with a parent at .  (or visit our new sharing center)
Copy Share Link
., you're logged in!
Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district (or visit our new sharing center)
Share Your Demo Pass With School District Leaders

Become a member or login to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
January 16, 2020

What is the LINE app?

  • The LINE app is a text, video, and voice-messaging social media app 
  • It also offers games, group chats, and a timeline
  • The LINE app is available for download on mobile devices and computers
  • It’s rated 12+ in the iOS App Store, but Smart Social doesn’t consider this app safe for tweens or younger teens
  • Kids are drawn to the LINE app because it offers:
  • Free texting and video calls (so they can chat with friends or strangers even if they don’t have a cell phone plan)
  • Thousands of stickers and emoticons
  • LINE Play, an avatar-based social network
  • LINE Play users “create an avatar and meet friends from around the world”

Why should parents care?

  • Line includes a feature called "Hidden Chat," which is similar to Snapchat's disappearing messages 
  • Users can choose how long they'd like their message to last before it vanishes: two seconds or up to a week
  • “Hidden” messages also can include location information, pics, and video 
  • The LINE app has a “People Nearby” feature
  • This feature must be disabled or strangers can identify nearby LINE users and send them friend requests
  • Users take on new identities on LINE Play and can chat with strangers
  • LINE’s terms of use says minors need permission from a parent to sign up, but there is no age verification requirement
  • Kids who sign up as 12 years old or younger will not see ads and cannot private message with strangers
  • In-app purchases are a big part of LINE
  • Many emojis and games within the LINE app are purchased with coins (which cost real money)

Login or join the VIP membership today to view all resources about the LINE app!

To learn more about other chat apps students are using: Best Chat Apps: What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

StarStarStarStarStar

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

LINE App: Avatars, Stickers, and Hidden Chats

., you're logged in!
Enjoy this resource and share our programs with your school district to send these resources to your whole community
Tell Your School District About Our Program
., you're logged in!
Share this resource with a parent at .  (or visit our new sharing center)
Copy Share Link
., you're logged in!
Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district (or visit our new sharing center)
Share Your Demo Pass With School District Leaders
., now is your chance to earn 10 points towards a $5 Starbucks gift card by telling us what you learned in this resource!
To earn your gift card, please be specific and write a full sentence that helps us learn what you liked about the topic. Our non-profit uses this information to improve our program.

40 characters remaining to reach minimum

Your submission has been received! You now have additional points added to your account.

If you are in a live event, please comment "I filled out the form!" in the live event chat box!

Otherwise you are free to roam around the site.
Thanks!
-Josh and The SmartSocial Team
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

The LINE app allows users to chat, make new friends, and play in a social media network filled with cute stickers and avatars. It also gives students, who don’t have a cell phone plan, a free way to make calls and send texts. It’s a multi-functional app with hidden features and lots of safety settings that the Smart Social team wants parents to be aware of.

Parent & educator training video

The LINE app is a big part of pop culture in parts of Asia

Fast Company headline: How Japan's line app became a culture-changing, revenue-generating phenomenon
Source: Fast Company
  • LINE is often referred to as the “Facebook of Japan”
  • LINE app marketing reports there are more than 600 million users worldwide (with most in Asia)
  • It’s also becoming more popular in other parts of the world, including the US

What is the LINE app?

Screen shot of Line. Welcome to Line
  • The LINE app is a text, video, and voice-messaging social media app 
  • It also offers games, group chats, and a timeline
  • The LINE app is available for download on mobile devices and computers
  • It’s rated 12+ in the iOS App Store, but Smart Social doesn’t consider this app safe for tweens or younger teens
  • Kids are drawn to the LINE app because it offers:
  • Free texting and video calls (so they can chat with friends or strangers even if they don’t have a cell phone plan)
  • Thousands of stickers and emoticons
  • LINE Play, an avatar-based social network
  • LINE Play users “create an avatar and meet friends from around the world”

BuzzFeed headline: 11 reasons LINE PLAY avatar life is the best.  And chatting with friends is taken to a whole-new level when you're an avatar
LINE app review by Smart Social
Source: Buzzfeed

What users say about Line app

"My daughter is only 9 years-old and has a tablet to play on for an hour a day. I found my daughter playing this app and people are messaging her about porn and sex and asking her to post pictures of her body!! This app should require a parental consent!" Parent of 9 year-old on CommonSense Media
I’d say Line is like the best thing that has ever happened to me since I’m not allowed to have a social media account. It’s easy to use, I can stay in touch with all my friends. User on iOS App Store
LINE Screenshot of People Nearyby

Why should parents care?

  • Line includes a feature called "Hidden Chat," which is similar to Snapchat's disappearing messages 
  • Users can choose how long they'd like their message to last before it vanishes: two seconds or up to a week
  • “Hidden” messages also can include location information, pics, and video 
  • The LINE app has a “People Nearby” feature
  • This feature must be disabled or strangers can identify nearby LINE users and send them friend requests
  • Users take on new identities on LINE Play and can chat with strangers
  • LINE’s terms of use says minors need permission from a parent to sign up, but there is no age verification requirement
  • Kids who sign up as 12 years old or younger will not see ads and cannot private message with strangers
  • In-app purchases are a big part of LINE
  • Many emojis and games within the LINE app are purchased with coins (which cost real money)

What can parents do?

LINE Screenshot of Privacy screen
  • It's important for parents to have a discussion with their kids about the LINE app and why it may not be a good fit for your family
  • Turn on privacy settings to make your "Public User ID" not public, add a passcode, and filter message from non-friends
  • Disable the “people nearby setting”
  • Limit or disable in-app purchases
  • Encourage your children to keep their user IDs private and to only share with people they know in real life
  • Remind students that “disappearing messages” don’t really disappear since anyone can take a screenshot
  • Discuss the difference between reality and avatar play
  • Consider setting app limits, since online games, including LINE Play, can become addicting
  • Remind your student they can always come to you or a trusted adult if they experience anything negative on the LINE app

Conclusion

The LINE app is in the Smart Social Red Zone as an app we don’t recommend for students. Learn our top four reasons why here:

School Districts: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

What is the LINE app?

  • The LINE app is a text, video, and voice-messaging social media app 
  • It also offers games, group chats, and a timeline
  • The LINE app is available for download on mobile devices and computers
  • It’s rated 12+ in the iOS App Store, but Smart Social doesn’t consider this app safe for tweens or younger teens
  • Kids are drawn to the LINE app because it offers:
  • Free texting and video calls (so they can chat with friends or strangers even if they don’t have a cell phone plan)
  • Thousands of stickers and emoticons
  • LINE Play, an avatar-based social network
  • LINE Play users “create an avatar and meet friends from around the world”

Why should parents care?

  • Line includes a feature called "Hidden Chat," which is similar to Snapchat's disappearing messages 
  • Users can choose how long they'd like their message to last before it vanishes: two seconds or up to a week
  • “Hidden” messages also can include location information, pics, and video 
  • The LINE app has a “People Nearby” feature
  • This feature must be disabled or strangers can identify nearby LINE users and send them friend requests
  • Users take on new identities on LINE Play and can chat with strangers
  • LINE’s terms of use says minors need permission from a parent to sign up, but there is no age verification requirement
  • Kids who sign up as 12 years old or younger will not see ads and cannot private message with strangers
  • In-app purchases are a big part of LINE
  • Many emojis and games within the LINE app are purchased with coins (which cost real money)

Login or join the VIP membership today to view all resources about the LINE app!

To learn more about other chat apps students are using: Best Chat Apps: What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

StarStarStarStarStar

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

Learn more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Join Our Next Live Parent Q&A Events (and earn a $5 Starbucks gift card)*

Dec
10
Register

Optimize Parental Controls: Balancing Safety & Privacy for Families

Understand how to set up parental controls and monitor your students without being intrusive.

Dec
12
Register

Protecting Your Family With A Social Media Agreement

Learn how to set up a Family Media Agreement for your entire family in order to keep your family safer with technology and social media.

Dec
17
Register

AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills

This virtual parent night event will explore the fascinating world of AI and the role it can have in every student's educational journey and future career paths.

Jan
14
Register

How To Shine Online With Your Social Media Accounts

Learn how students can use their social media accounts to help them Shine Online and better their future.

Jan
21
Register

How To Shine Online With Your Social Media Accounts

Learn how students can use their social media accounts to help them Shine Online and better their future.

Jan
28
Register

How To Shine Online With Your Social Media Accounts

Learn how students can use their social media accounts to help them Shine Online and better their future.

*Only for families in partner school districts or individual paid VIP members: to receive a gift card, simply attend the live event, join in the activities, and your family will be eligible to earn one gift card per year (while supplies last).

Become a Very Informed Parent (VIP) to get our social media suggestions in your email every Tuesday & Thursday.

Dotted arrow to right
Learn about our
"Very Informed Parent" 
VIP Program
Right arrow
Hello, I'm Josh, the founder of SmartSocial.com. Protect your family by taking my 1 minute quiz

This quiz will help you understand how safe your family is

Take Josh's 1 Min Quiz
Right arrow
Smart Social Logo

Schools & Districts: Partner with us to protect your community online

Our remote presentations (and website) teach over a million students each year how to shine online. We teach students how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.

Partner with SmartSocial.com
Right arrow
Smart Social Logo
Join Our Smart Social Podcast
each week on iTunes

With over 240 episodes, Josh Ochs interviews psychologists, therapists, counselors, teachers, and parents while showing you how to navigate social media to someday shine online.

Listen on: