Google announced Thursday it would open its social networking site, Google+, to teenagers but with tweaked safety precautions.
According to Forbes, Google consulted ConnectSafely.org, a non-profit Internet safety group, to institute safeguards for its younger users.
“With Google+, we want to help teens build meaningful connections online. We also want to provide features that foster safety alongside self-expression,” Google+ VP Bradley Horowitz stated in a blog post.
Some of the safeguards include restricting communication between adults and teens, unless they are listed in the same “circles,” temporarilty disabling a teen’s Hangout (video chat) if an adult outside for their cirles join, and providing safety reminders before teens post.
Google+ recently announced it had reached worldwide 90 million users. Opening the gates for teens, will match other social media requirements such as Facebook and MySpace. Google hopes the move will also boost it’s fast-growing user base.
“Between strong user protections and teen-focused content, it’s our hope that young adults will feel at home (and have some fun) on Google+,” said Horwitz.
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