Note: Vine has been discontinued by Twitter in 2016, but we leave this app guide here to teach parents/educators what it does. We believe another app will return with similar features, under a new name (and with a new revenue model).

We created this parents video to help you better understand what is Vine, the popular app that kids are using.

What is Vine?

1/3 of all teens in U.S. use Vine.

• Vine is owned by Twitter and is a video sharing app
• Users can record and share videos up to 6 seconds long
• Videos automatically loop when you view them
• Other users can “Like” videos, “Comment” or “Revine”, which means they add them to their own timeline for their followers to see (similar to Twitter Retweets)
• Videos can also be shared on Facebook or Twitter

How does Vine work?

To see posts or to follow them parents need to know their student's @usernames.

The Vine app can be used on a mobile device, where registered users can record and post their Vines. Also, the service has a website, where posted vines can also be watched (registration is not required).New users can choose to sign in with Twitter then their username will be the same across both services, or with an Email then unique nickname/username has to be chosen. Videos are sorted by categories:

1. Channels - such as animals, art, and comedy;
2. Popular Now - most popular videos, which were recently posted;
3. Trending Tags # - you can see which hashtags are most popular right now.

Also, vine has a message service, where users can chat privately. - From Vine.

How are students using the Vine and what do they post?

Safety Tip: Students may want to be popular on Vine. So, they try to collect views and revines from their followers.

1. Kids want popularity. So they try to collect more views & revines from friends and strangers.

Some teens are actually earning money on Vine. The most popular users get thousands of dollars from brands for recording 6 seconds videos about their products and services. For example, Cody Johns, Brent Rivera and Greg Davis, Jr., who goes by the username "Klarity," are top Vine influencers, who pull down six-figure salaries with their Vine videos.- From ABC News.

1. Kids mostly post videos of themselves. Sometimes they post their daily routines and blunders.
2. Kids have found that making funny & stupid videos, which collect more views and revines.
3. Kids are using popular #hashtags to make their videos easier to find for any user. They realize that you must use a #hashtag in your message to get discovered for that topic.
4. They share videos on Twitter & Facebook.
5. They connect with and follow their friends, as well as random people.
6. Some kids are using Vine to show and promote their talents. They record themselves singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and sports games, some of them make interesting video collages.
7. But mostly teens are having fun.

Why should parents care about their students using the Vine app?

Posted Vines can show up in Google results (changing your student's online resume that colleges see).

• The recent research showed that ¼ of all U.S. teens are using Vine. So your kids probably have it too.- From Media Bistro.
• Vine age limit was raised from 12 years old to 17+ because of the specific content some people are posting. However, Teens & Tweens are still using the app. - From Chicago Now.
• Kids are using messenger to talk privately with “Friends” and “Other”- users outside their networks. As Vine accounts are not always created under the real name, you can’t be sure, who are you really talking to.
• Anyone can contact your kids.
• There is a lot of inappropriate content (again, visible for everyone).
• Public accounts and videos are visible for everyone (even without registration).

What can parents do?

Most Vines are fun and harmless, however, consider checking your students’ newsfeed weekly.

1. To see your students’ post or to follow them you need to know their @usernames or Twitter account name.
2. Most videos are fun and harmless, however, consider checking your students’ timelines from time to time.
3. Suggest to set your student's page as private, so only accepted followers could see their posts.
4. Explain to your students , that if they don’t want you (their parent, teacher, or other adult) to see a certain video, maybe it shouldn't be posted at all.
5. Report inappropriate and offensive content and ask your students to block users who do not behave well.
6. Remind your students to keep each post “Light, Bright & Polite™.”

Did you like our post or do you have more questions about what is Vine? Let us know in the comment section below.