Minimum age according to Terms of Use: 13+
What is Signal?
Signal is a secure messaging app known for its end-to-end encryption. This means only the sender and receiver can read the messages—no one else, including Signal, hackers, or internet providers. Users can send texts, photos, videos, voice notes, and make voice and video calls. Unlike social media, Signal has no public profiles or content recommendation algorithms.
What parents should watch out for:
Privacy – both a benefit and a risk
Signal is popular with users who value digital privacy, as it collects minimal metadata and doesn’t store messages on its servers. However, the same privacy can be misused to contact children without oversight.
Inappropriate content
Though not a public content platform, users can still send inappropriate messages, links, or media through private chats.
Disappearing messages
Signal allows users to set messages to disappear after a set time. Kids might use this to hide conversations from parents—similar to Snapchat.
Predators and grooming
Signal is often used for “continuing communication” after predators first connect with a child on more public platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Roblox. The encryption makes it impossible for others to monitor these chats.
Advice for parents:
- Periodically check who your child is communicating with
- Talk about the pros and cons of digital privacy
- Enable “Registration Lock” in Signal settings with a PIN to protect the account
- Keep the app updated with automatic updates
- Discuss safe online behavior and when to ask for help
Additional support and reporting:
- Helpline: 0800 200 880
- Report illegal content: www.netpatrola.rs
- Suspected online abuse: Contact the police
- Remove explicit photos: www.ncii.csi.org.rs
- More resources: www.cnzd.rs
- Free psychological and legal support: kontakt@cnzd.rs
