., 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.

MeWe: Is It Safe for Teens?

., 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.
February 1, 2021

What is the MeWe app?

  • MeWe is a social network marketed for users who want more privacy 
  • Users connect with friends, family and groups with common interests.  The MeWe Privacy Bill of Right says users “own your personal information & content.  It is explicitly not ours,” which is unlike other social media apps 
  • Additionally, MeWe says the company does not track user data to sell to third-parties or to use to target advertising content  
  • MeWe has become more popular as other social networks like Facebook and Instagram have ramped-up their censorship of what users share 
  •  Signing up and basic use of MeWe is free, but “enhancement” add-ons and the premium subscription are available for monthly purchase 
  •  MeWePRO is a commercial product offered as a separate app and website by the company for business, non profit and education communications. (Similar name, same company, different product.)
  • Founded and owned by Mark Weinstein
  • Officially launched in 2016

What should parents know?

  • MeWe is marketed for users to be their “true authentic selves,” which may encourage youth to make reckless decisions to gain social media popularity
  • The company admitted they are struggling to keep up with monitoring.  Hate speech and pornography are not being caught or removed very quickly
  • Usage is heavily linked to groups that have been banned or censored from Facebook and Twitter
  • While MeWe marketing says they don’t sell data for advertising or marketing, don’t be deceived to believe that they aren’t tracking at all
  • Reviews in the App Store mentioned cases of viruses suspected to have come from the app

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

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

MeWe: Is It Safe for Teens?

., 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.

MeWe saw an enormous spike in popularity early in 2021 after other social networks began heavily censoring messages and users on their platforms.  The app is marketed for those who want more privacy and control of their social media, but MeWe has become known for being uncensored.

Parent & educator training video

What is the MeWe app?

MeWe app logo
  • MeWe is a social network marketed for users who want more privacy 
  • Users connect with friends, family and groups with common interests.  The MeWe Privacy Bill of Right says users “own your personal information & content.  It is explicitly not ours,” which is unlike other social media apps 
  • Additionally, MeWe says the company does not track user data to sell to third-parties or to use to target advertising content  
  • MeWe has become more popular as other social networks like Facebook and Instagram have ramped-up their censorship of what users share 
  •  Signing up and basic use of MeWe is free, but “enhancement” add-ons and the premium subscription are available for monthly purchase 
  •  MeWePRO is a commercial product offered as a separate app and website by the company for business, non profit and education communications. (Similar name, same company, different product.)
  • Founded and owned by Mark Weinstein
  • Officially launched in 2016

MeWe app marketing says:

  • “Social sharing where people can be their true, authentic selves”
  • Protecting our members: haters, bullies, porn, spammers, bots, lawbreakers, violence inciters, etc. are prohibited. 
  • #Not4sale: user data is not for sale for advertisers, marketers or politicians. 
  • “Illegal activity is not permitted.  If we are made aware of illegal activity, we will take appropriate action.” - MeWe

The MeWe app in the news:

USA Today headline: Facebook rival MeWe gains 2.5M members in a wee as users seek privacy. Tech Crunch headline: Following riots, alternative social apps and private messengers top the app stores

Where is MeWe available?

Cost of using MeWe

  • Basic use of MeWe is free, but “enhancement” add-ons and the premium subscription ($4.99/month)  are available
  • MeWePRO is a commercial product offered as a separate app and website by the company for business, non profit and education communications-similar name, same company, different product

Features of MeWe

MeWe app Guide screen shot of Sign up, it's free! and Member log in
  • Home: scroll through the news feed to see photos and posts from your “Contacts” and Communities.  Users can create a dedicated newsfeed to see only “close friends” vs. posts from all their contacts
  • Communities: search to find MeWe groups focusing on various topics (everyone starts with MeWe News and Updates group)
  • Chats: chats can be between two people or multi person in text form, or voice/video call
  • Notifications: users can see reactions and comments to what they have posted on their timeline
  • Enhancements: For monthly fee users can pay for premium subscription and upgrades:  Journals, MeWe Hearts, Dark Theme, and more

What should parents know?

  • MeWe is marketed for users to be their “true authentic selves,” which may encourage youth to make reckless decisions to gain social media popularity
  • The company admitted they are struggling to keep up with monitoring.  Hate speech and pornography are not being caught or removed very quickly
  • Usage is heavily linked to groups that have been banned or censored from Facebook and Twitter
  • While MeWe marketing says they don’t sell data for advertising or marketing, don’t be deceived to believe that they aren’t tracking at all
  • Reviews in the App Store mentioned cases of viruses suspected to have come from the app

What can parents do?

  • Before giving your child access to an app, download it, spend some time using it, then determine if the app is safe for your family
  • Explain to your student that nothing in social media or online is truly private or protected and every interaction is a chance to shine online, regardless of who they think can or cannot see their content
  • Talk with your students about the people and types of groups that are appropriate for them to follow on social media
  • Discuss with your student what to do if they come across pornographic photos or videos or hate speech that makes them feel uncomfortable
  • Let your students know they can come to you if they experience anything uncomfortable online
  • Enroll in the SmartSocial VIP (Very Informed Parent) program for more information about apps like MeWe and how to help your student shine online

Conclusion

MeWe operates similarly to other popular social media sites with the newsfeed created by posts of other users and groups you follow.  The company says the app operates differently “behind the scenes” to give users more privacy and control of their content and experience. 

Students may want to engage with this app as they hear the popularity increase around the world.  The MeWe theory of more user control essentially leaves the door wide open to foul language, pornography and illegal activities that can have negative effects on students as they use the app.

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

What is the MeWe app?

  • MeWe is a social network marketed for users who want more privacy 
  • Users connect with friends, family and groups with common interests.  The MeWe Privacy Bill of Right says users “own your personal information & content.  It is explicitly not ours,” which is unlike other social media apps 
  • Additionally, MeWe says the company does not track user data to sell to third-parties or to use to target advertising content  
  • MeWe has become more popular as other social networks like Facebook and Instagram have ramped-up their censorship of what users share 
  •  Signing up and basic use of MeWe is free, but “enhancement” add-ons and the premium subscription are available for monthly purchase 
  •  MeWePRO is a commercial product offered as a separate app and website by the company for business, non profit and education communications. (Similar name, same company, different product.)
  • Founded and owned by Mark Weinstein
  • Officially launched in 2016

What should parents know?

  • MeWe is marketed for users to be their “true authentic selves,” which may encourage youth to make reckless decisions to gain social media popularity
  • The company admitted they are struggling to keep up with monitoring.  Hate speech and pornography are not being caught or removed very quickly
  • Usage is heavily linked to groups that have been banned or censored from Facebook and Twitter
  • While MeWe marketing says they don’t sell data for advertising or marketing, don’t be deceived to believe that they aren’t tracking at all
  • Reviews in the App Store mentioned cases of viruses suspected to have come from the app

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

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: