., click here to enter for a chance to win one of our many $50 gift cards we are giving away.

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.

What is Wattpad? Parent App Guide

., 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 .
Copy Share Link
., you're logged in!
Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district
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.

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

What is Wattpad? Parent App Guide

., 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 .
Copy Share Link
., you're logged in!
Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district
Share Your Demo Pass With School District Leaders

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

Logged in and still not seeing content? This course may not be part of
your membership plan. Click here to join.

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.

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

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

Our recent events were a huge hit! 
The next events will be announced shortly
Visit our VIP Members page to watch a replay of our recent events
Join our weekly SmartSocial.com newsletter to stay updated

Watch a replay of our recent event:

Each of our monthly events feature real student voices, expert tips and practical advice that makes parents the most informed parent on the block

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
Josh Ochs headshot Round

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

Our remote presentations (and website) teaches 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
SmartSocial podcast 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: