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What is Wattpad? Parent App Guide

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February 6, 2017

What is Wattpad?

  • A relatively unmoderated online storytelling community
  • Users write and share their stories on Wattpad
  • Users like and comment on other users’ stories
  • While writers are encouraged to rate their stories, many stories are unrated

Why should parents care?

  • The majority of Wattpad’s content is mature
  • Teens are posting explicit and inappropriate stories that are connected to their personal Facebook profiles (and shows their profile photo)
  • Users can embed inappropriate images and videos into their stories
  • Wattpad can be a predatory site since readers have access to writers’ personal Facebook profiles and email addresses
  • The app also has private messaging capabilities

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What is Wattpad? Parent App Guide

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Parent & educator training video

What is  Wattpad?

Wattpad is a relatively unmoderated online storytelling community.
Wattpad app logo
  • A relatively unmoderated online storytelling community
  • Users write and share their stories on Wattpad
  • Users like and comment on other users’ stories
  • While writers are encouraged to rate their stories, many stories are unrated

Wattpad stories fall into 2 rating categories:

  • Mature - Content intended for readers 17+
  • For Everyone - Content that is appropriate for all ages

Wattpad statistics

  • There 45 million Wattpad users
  • 30 minutes is the average amount spent on Wattpad per session
  • 80% of users are under the age of 30

Wattpad in the news

There’s a danger of exploitation when the writers are so young and Wattpad is acting as their agent. The Washington Post
"There’s a danger of exploitation when the writers are so young and Wattpad is acting as their agent.” The Washington Post
“Nearly a third of the writings are unrated, and some decidedly explicit stuff shows up [on Wattpad].” Common Sense Media

What do parents say?

Teens can easily find inappropriate content [on Wattpad] plus they can message each other including likely predators.
  • “Loads of inappropriate content -  Teens can easily find inappropriate content plus they can message each other including likely predators.” -Mom of Teen
  • “I discovered my 14-year-old daughter was writing stories on this app that were sexually explicit, totally inappropriate, and publicly shared. The app connected to her Facebook profile, which, while totally locked down, still shows her profile picture, which at times is a photograph of her.” -Mom of Teen

Why should parents care?

Wattpad can be a predatory site since readers have access to writers’ personal Facebook profiles and email addresses.
  • The majority of Wattpad’s content is mature
  • Teens are posting explicit and inappropriate stories that are connected to their personal Facebook profiles (and shows their profile photo)
  • Users can embed inappropriate images and videos into their stories
  • Wattpad can be a predatory site since readers have access to writers’ personal Facebook profiles and email addresses
  • The app also has private messaging capabilities

What can parents do?

Consider alternative ways your teen can share their creative writing publicly.
  • Consider alternative ways your teen can share their creative writing publicly
  • Discuss the types of content that are appropriate for your teen to encounter online and teach them to avoid inappropriate content in your absence

If your teen is interested in creative writing or reading:

  • Encourage your student to start journaling in a notebook
  • Plan a trip to the bookstore, together, so your teen can pick out books you’ve approved

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

What is Wattpad?

  • A relatively unmoderated online storytelling community
  • Users write and share their stories on Wattpad
  • Users like and comment on other users’ stories
  • While writers are encouraged to rate their stories, many stories are unrated

Why should parents care?

  • The majority of Wattpad’s content is mature
  • Teens are posting explicit and inappropriate stories that are connected to their personal Facebook profiles (and shows their profile photo)
  • Users can embed inappropriate images and videos into their stories
  • Wattpad can be a predatory site since readers have access to writers’ personal Facebook profiles and email addresses
  • The app also has private messaging capabilities

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

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

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