Pinterest Safety Settings

Pinterest safety settings help families manage profile privacy, messages, comments and account security. Pinterest lets people save images and videos called Pins onto boards. This guide explains which controls parents and eligible teenagers can review together, how to use them and why they cannot remove every risk.

Age Rating and Child Safety Warning

Pinterest’s general minimum age is 13, but its policy also requires users to meet their country’s age for consenting to data processing. In Ireland that age is 16. Therefore, families in Ireland should follow the higher requirement and check current registration eligibility. Parental controls do not override Pinterest’s account rules.

The Irish Apple App Store rates Pinterest 13+. This store rating is separate from account eligibility. Images, shopping links and conversations can still be unsuitable, so Pinterest is not a service for young children.

Pinterest may ask for age verification when a user changes an age recorded as under 18 or appeals an age restriction. Its official process can involve a live selfie or identification with a selfie through a verification partner. Read the privacy information first and use only the official verification route. Never send identity documents to another user or a support email. See Pinterest’s age and verification guidance.

The Irish Data Protection Commission explains digital consent. That legal age does not impose the same account minimum on every platform, because services may use different lawful bases. Here, Pinterest’s own regional eligibility policy matters.

Restrictions Available

Set a parental passcode

For an eligible teen under 18, a parent can set a four digit Parental passcode. It locks selected account, privacy and interaction settings. Use the teenager’s account together and a parent email that remains accessible.

• Sign in to the teen’s Pinterest account in the app.
• Tap the Profile picture at the bottom right, then the profile picture at the top left.
• Open Account management, then Parental passcode.
• Create a four digit code and enter the parent’s email address when prompted.
• Open Pinterest’s confirmation email in the parent’s inbox and select the verification link within 24 hours.
• Check the confirmation with your teenager and keep the code secure.

Why it matters: The passcode restricts selected changes, rather than monitoring every activity. Changes that increase privacy do not need the code. It expires when the recorded birthday reaches 18. Parental passcode instructions

Keep a personal profile private

A Private profile reduces discovery through Pinterest and search engines. Profiles below 16 remain private. Pinterest says users aged 16 or over can edit visibility, subject to their account’s protections. Business accounts stay public.

• Open the Pinterest app and sign in to the personal account.
• Tap the Profile picture at the bottom right, then the profile picture at the top left.
• Select Profile visibility.
• Turn on Private profile, if the account allows the setting to change.
• Keep invitations limited to people you actually know and trust.

Why it matters: Privacy reduces the audience but cannot prevent an invited follower from copying information. Do not convert a teen account to a business account to bypass protections. Profile visibility instructions

Restrict message delivery

Pinterest separates contacts into groups such as followers and collaborators. Review each group rather than assuming profile privacy blocks all messages.

• In the app, tap your Profile picture at the bottom right, then at the top left.
• Open Social permissions or Social permissions and activity, depending on your device.
• Select Message settings.
• Open each contact group and choose Don’t deliver for people you do not want messages from.
• Use Requests only when you want to review approaches before accepting them. Keep Inbox limited to trusted contacts.
• On the website, open Settings, then Social permissions. Under Messages, select Edit for a group and Save your choice.

Why it matters: These choices reduce private approaches. Nevertheless, accepting a request or joining a group can expose you to new people. Teen accounts have additional limits. Message setting instructions

Filter unwanted comments

Comment filters can hide selected words or phrases. Teen Pins have comments off by default, so keep that protection unless there is a clear reason to change it.

• Open your profile using the Profile picture at the bottom right.
• Tap the profile picture at the top left to reach the personal account settings.
• Open Social permissions or Social permissions and activity.
• Enable Filter comments on my Pins where that control is available.
• Add unwanted terms to Blocked words, separating each word or phrase with a comma.
• Enable Filter comments on others’ Pins if available, then select Save. Do not enable comments just to access a filter.

Why it matters: Filtering can reduce repeated abuse but cannot understand every image, spelling or context. Also, comments your teenager leaves on other people’s Pins can remain visible. Comment controls and filters

Keep comments off on published Pins

Teen Pins have comments off by default. Review individual Pins if that protection was changed.

• On the website, open your published Pin and its edit controls. Turn off Allow people to comment and select Save.
• In the app, open your published Pin and its edit controls. Turn off Allow comments. This change saves automatically.
• Pinterest says the account wide comment switch is currently limited to iOS and disabled for under 18 accounts.

Why it matters: Disabling comments prevents new replies on that Pin. It does not remove comments you left elsewhere or replace blocking and reporting. Some sensitive Pins have comments disabled by Pinterest.

Comment control instructions. Individual Pin controls and age limits.

Block and report unwanted contact

Blocking stops an account following, messaging or interacting with your Pins. Reporting separately alerts Pinterest to conduct or content that may break its rules.

• Open the unwanted account’s profile.
• Select the three dot menu, then Block and confirm any prompt.
• To report harmful content, open the Pin, comment, message, board or account concerned.
• Select its More options menu, then Report.
• Choose the most accurate reason and complete the report prompts.

Why it matters: Blocking one account cannot prevent another account or a copied image from appearing. Therefore, report the harmful item too and keep safe details when you need further help. Pinterest teen safety and reporting

Add a login verification code

Two factor authentication adds a text message code to password logins. Pinterest says availability differs by region, so check whether it appears on your account.

• In a computer browser, sign in to Pinterest and open the menu at the bottom left.
• Select Settings, then Security.
• Under Two-factor authentication, enable Require code at login.
• Complete the email confirmation, enter your password and select Next.
• Choose your Country/region code, enter your phone number and select Next.
• Enter the text message code under Enter verification code and select Verify.
• Store the Backup code safely, then select Done.
• In the personal account app, open your profile, then the top left profile photo and Security. Enable Two-factor authentication and complete the password, phone number and text code verification prompts.

Why it matters: A second code helps protect a stolen password. However, never share that code with someone offering support. Protect the phone and recovery email too. Login verification instructions

Remove identifying profile details

Review names, photographs and links before sharing your profile with anyone.

• In a computer browser, sign in and open the menu at the bottom left.
• Select Settings, then Edit profile.
• Review First Name, optional Last name, About, Website and Username. Remove unnecessary identifying details and choose Save.
• In the personal account app, tap your profile picture at the bottom right, then the profile photo at the top left. Select View profile, then Edit profile and finish with Done.

Why it matters: School names, routine locations and personal links can identify a teenager. A private account still shares its profile with invitees. Changing a username also changes the profile address.

Profile editing instructions. Name, biography, links and username controls.

Keep sensitive boards private

A private board limits access to you and the people you invite. Board privacy and profile privacy are separate choices.

• On the website, open your profile and the board concerned.
• Open its options menu and select Edit info and settings.
• Enable Make this board private and select Done.
• In the app, open the board from your profile and use its top right options menu. The editor is called Edit board and header image or Edit info and settings, depending on the device.
• Enable Make this board private and select Done. For a new board, enable Keep this board private while naming it.

Why it matters: Invited collaborators can still see the material and copy it. A private board can influence recommendations shown to you, so privacy does not remove its effect on your feed.

Private board instructions. Board visibility and the limits of invitations.

Restrict group board access

Review every shared board you own. Pinterest notes that some group features are currently available only on iOS.

• On the website, open your profile, then the group board.
• Open the board controls above the Pins and find Collaborators can….
• Choose the least access needed. Review Do (almost) everything, Save and comment, Invite other people and Board requests.
• Disable further invitations and join requests where those choices are available, then select Done.
• To remove someone, select the collaborator profile pictures below the board name, choose Remove next to that person and confirm Remove.

Why it matters: A collaborator with broad access can change content or expand the audience. Removal cannot retrieve copies they already made.

Group board instructions. Collaborator permissions and removal.

Reduce unwanted recommended Pins

Feed feedback can reduce similar material. Use reporting separately for harmful content.

• On the website home feed, open the three dot menu at the bottom right of the unwanted Pin.
• Select See fewer like this.
• In the app, use the same Pin menu. The choice can read See less or See fewer like this.
• Repeat for unwanted themes. If a Pin appears to break Pinterest’s rules, use Report instead of relying only on recommendation feedback.

Why it matters: Feedback changes recommendations over time. It does not block every similar image or send a moderation report.

Recommendation feedback instructions. How to request fewer similar Pins.

Review activity and AI recommendations

Pinterest safety settings include controls for the activity used to recommend Pins and the amount of certain AI content shown.

• On the website, open the menu at the bottom left and select Refine your recommendations.
• Open Activity and turn off recommendation signals from unwanted past activity.
• Open AI content. Turn off Show AI content to reduce AI Pins in the supported categories.
• Alternatively, review individual categories under Manage AI content by topic.
• In the app, open your profile and its top right settings control, then select Refine your recommendations.

Why it matters: These choices do not change advertisements. Reducing AI content is not a guarantee that every remaining picture is real, and it is separate from the use of uploaded content for AI training.

Feed refinement instructions. Activity signals and AI content preferences.

Review advertising and data choices

Data settings vary by country and age.

• In the personal account app, tap your profile picture at the bottom right, then at the top left. Open Privacy and data.
• Review available advertising toggles, including Use of partner info. Keep unwanted uses off.
• For EU accounts, review Inferred signals about you to limit certain recommendation data.
• In the EU or UK, select Edit under Cookie Preferences and review the choices.
• On the website, use Settings, then Privacy and data, and select Save after changing available boxes.

Why it matters: These choices limit particular uses of information. They do not delete past activity or remove all advertising. Pinterest also describes a Generative AI settings opt out for training on public uploads. Its exact current toggle path still needs confirmation.

Privacy and data instructions. Advertising, regional data choices and AI training information.

Turn off unwanted video autoplay

Desktop autoplay and mobile cellular autoplay are different controls.

• In a computer browser, open the menu at the bottom left, then Settings and Social permissions.
• Under Autoplay videos, turn off Autoplay videos on desktop, then choose Save.
• On iOS, open your profile, then the top right settings control and Social permissions. Turn off Autoplay videos on cellular data.
• On Android, open your profile, then the profile photo at the top left and Privacy and data. Turn off Auto-play videos on cellular data.

Why it matters: The cellular setting does not promise to stop playback on WiFi. Opening a video can still play it. This setting is separate from the EU parental video recommendation control.

Video autoplay instructions. Desktop and mobile playback differences.

Reduce notification prompts

Turn off recommendation prompts that encourage repeated checking while keeping useful account alerts.

• On the website, open the bottom left menu, then Settings and Notifications.
• Open each relevant category and review Push, Email and In-app choices.
• Turn off unwanted recommendation or promotional notifications, then choose Save.
• On Android, open your profile and the top left profile photo, then Notifications. On iOS, use the profile’s top right settings control and Notifications.
• Review each category. App changes save automatically. If Android offers Open Settings, it opens the phone’s notification permissions.

Why it matters: Notifications and permission to mention someone are separate controls. Turning alerts off does not stop messages or remove Pins from the feed.

Notification instructions. Notification categories and device differences.

End an unfamiliar login session

Review recent sessions if someone may have accessed the account. Pinterest currently documents this review for a desktop browser.

• Sign in on a computer and open the menu at the bottom left.
• Select Settings, then Security.
• Under Connected devices, select Show sessions.
• Review the device, date and approximate login location. Select End activity for a session you do not recognise.
• If access was unauthorised, also secure the account password and recovery email, and review two factor authentication.

Why it matters: Ending a session revokes that session’s access. Locations can be approximate, so consider the device and date too. It does not replace securing a compromised password.

Recent login instructions. Desktop session review and revocation.

Request a copy of account data

The account holder can request their information before deciding to leave Pinterest.

• In the app, open your profile, then the profile photo at the top left.
• Select Privacy and data, then Request your data and Start request.
• On the website, open the bottom left menu, then Settings and Privacy and data. Under Request your data, select Start request.
• Check the account email. Pinterest says the download link can take up to 48 hours and is delivered through its provider SendSafely.
• Store the downloaded information privately.

Why it matters: A download can contain personal information. The parental passcode does not give a parent unrestricted access to the teenager’s data, and a data request does not delete the account.

Data download instructions. Request route, delivery time and account holder access.

Remove a Pin from your own board

Remove material that reveals too much or that you no longer want saved. Deleted Pins cannot be recovered.

• On the website, open your profile and the relevant Pin.
• Open its options menu and choose Edit Pin.
• Select Delete, then Delete again to confirm.
• In the app, open the Pin from your profile, use its top right menu and choose the edit option.
• Select Delete this Pin or the delete control at the bottom, then confirm Delete.

Why it matters: Deleting your saved Pin does not erase another person’s copy or the original website. Report harmful original content separately and check carefully before deleting.

Pin removal instructions. Deletion steps and the lack of recovery.

Pause or close the account

Deactivation is a pause. Account deletion becomes permanent after the recovery period.

• In the personal account app, open your profile, then the top left profile photo and Account management.
• To pause, select Deactivate account and follow the prompts.
• To leave permanently, select Delete your data and account and follow the prompts. Confirm the request through the account email.
• On the website, use Settings, then Account management and choose Deactivate account or Delete account.
• Pinterest currently gives 7 days before permanent deletion. Request any wanted data beforehand. Do not sign back in merely to check deactivation, because login reactivates the account.

Why it matters: Deactivation hides the profile and boards while retaining the account. Permanent deletion cannot retrieve content other people copied, and the account holder must complete the verified process.

Account closure instructions. Temporary deactivation, email confirmation and deletion timing.

Pinterest Safety Settings and Why They Matter

Review Pinterest safety settings together before relying on a single control. For example, a private profile can still contain risky links, while a trusted follower can copy a Pin. Combine privacy, restricted messages and a clear plan for asking for help.

Pinterest automatically disables advertising personalisation for users under 18 in the EU and UK. Review data choices again as the account reaches adulthood. A parental passcode can protect selected settings, but it does not guarantee suitable recommendations.

How to Use Pinterest Safely

Alongside Pinterest safety settings, avoid posting school details, home addresses or photographs that reveal a regular location. In addition, use a nickname where appropriate and invite only trusted people to follow a private profile. Check who can join collaborative boards before sharing personal material.

Pins can link to websites beyond Pinterest. Before shopping or downloading anything, verify the destination and seller independently. Attractive images and large engagement counts do not establish that a product, recipe or claim is reliable.

Agree breaks and keep scrolling away from sleep time. Device family controls can support your agreement, while conversation helps identify whether recommendations affect mood or confidence.

Essential Safety Advice and Current Concerns

Even with stronger Pinterest safety settings, images can encourage unrealistic comparisons, harmful body ideals or unsafe advice. If a feed repeatedly causes distress, pause use and review its recommendations together. Also, check important health or safety claims with a qualified source before acting.

Be cautious about impersonation, fake giveaways and requests to move conversations elsewhere. If someone applies sexual pressure or asks for secrecy, involve a trusted adult. Keep safe report details without forwarding sexual images of children.

For Irish support, visit CODA’s helplines and support resources. In immediate danger, contact local emergency services. The website contact form is for enquiries rather than emergency help.

Platform Support and Regional Differences

These Pinterest safety settings cover personal accounts. Android, iPhone, browser and business account menus differ. In particular, some Android screens use Social permissions and activity. Use the linked official help when a label differs.

Pinterest says EU parents can disable video recommendations for eligible users under 16. Availability depends on age and region, and this does not override the minimum account requirements in Ireland. The exact control path needs confirmation on an eligible account before a family relies on it.

The Pinterest Irish Online Safety Code page explains its parental control and reporting complaint route. Use it for concerns about those measures. The controls described here do not require a paid subscription.

Safety Checklist

• Confirm the minimum account age for your country.
• Use the correct birthday and retain teen defaults.
• Set a Parental passcode for an eligible teen account.
• Keep Private profile on and review invitations.
• Restrict Message settings and retain comment protections.
• Enable available comment filters and login verification.
• Check external links before shopping or downloading.
• Practise Block and Report, then agree a trusted adult to contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 13 year old in Ireland use Pinterest?

Do not rely on the general 13+ minimum. Pinterest also applies regional data consent eligibility, and Ireland’s digital consent age is 16. Follow the current country requirement rather than treating a store rating or parental passcode as permission.

Does the parental passcode show every activity?

No. It locks selected settings, including some account, privacy and interaction choices. It does not provide complete monitoring and expires when the account birthday reaches 18.

Does a private profile hide every interaction?

No. Invitees can still see and copy shared material. In addition, comments you leave on other people’s Pins can be visible. Review sharing and messages separately.

Do filters guarantee suitable content?

No. Filters miss some material and cannot control every external website. Therefore, keep a reporting plan and speak about upsetting recommendations together.

Related CODA Guides

• Resources for Parents for family guidance.
• Instagram safety settings for privacy on another social platform.
• Helplines and support resources for further help.

References

• Irish Apple App Store: Pinterest. Regional store rating.
• Pinterest: Age and verification. Minimum age, regional eligibility and official verification.
• Data Protection Commission: Digital consent. Ireland’s consent age and its limits.
• Pinterest: Parental passcode. Setup, protected settings and expiry.
• Pinterest: Profile visibility. Personal and business account differences.
• Pinterest: Messages. Delivery choices and app menu differences.
• Pinterest: Comments. Comment filters and teen defaults.
• Pinterest: Teen safety. Blocking, reporting and privacy defaults.
• Pinterest: Authentication. Login codes and regional availability.
• Pinterest: Profile editing. Profile names, biography, website and username.
• Pinterest: Private boards. Board visibility, invitations and recommendation effects.
• Pinterest: Group boards. Collaborator access, invitations and removal.
• Pinterest: Feed feedback. Requesting more or fewer similar Pins.
• Pinterest: Refine recommendations. Activity signals and AI content preferences.
• Pinterest: Privacy and data. Advertising, regional data choices, cookies and AI training.
• Pinterest: Video autoplay. Desktop playback and mobile cellular controls.
• Pinterest: Notifications. Notification categories and Android and iOS differences.
• Pinterest: Recent logins. Desktop connected sessions and ending activity.
• Pinterest: Data download. Account holder request, email delivery and provider.
• Pinterest: Pin removal. Deletion steps and recovery limitations.
• Pinterest: Account closure. Temporary deactivation, email confirmation and seven day deletion period.
• Pinterest: Irish Online Safety Code. Video recommendation controls and complaint routes.

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Children of the Digital Age supports families, schools and communities through online safety education, training and practical guidance. Our guides help you discuss online experiences and build safer habits alongside platform controls.

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Last updated: 10 October 2026