What The Tech App of the Day: Coverstar
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Let’s not pretend TikTok’s age limit is keeping every 9-year-old off the app.
Kids are curious, they see older siblings and friends using social media, and many want the same short videos, dances, challenges and endless scrolling.
The problem for parents is that on TikTok, you never know exactly what your child might see next. That’s why an app called Coverstar caught my attention.
I first heard about it from Franklin Goins, who was already using a Bark phone designed for kids. “Coverstar. It’s kind of like TikTok but for kids,” he told me.
That’s a pretty accurate description. Coverstar looks a lot like TikTok. It features short funny videos, dancing, challenges and a feed users can scroll through. Kids can follow creators, like videos, leave comments and make
videos of their own.
The big difference is what Coverstar leaves out. There are no private direct messages. That means another user cannot privately contact your child through the app and start a conversation parents may never see. Users can also make their profiles private, so only approved followers can see what they post.
Coverstar also says it uses artificial intelligence and human moderators to review content and help keep inappropriate material off the platform.
Apple currently rates Coverstar for ages 9 and up. Coverstar itself does not set a specific minimum age, but children under 13 need parental permission to create an account.
There is one important safety feature Coverstar does not include: a built-in screen-time limit. If your child wants to scroll for hours, Coverstar is not going to stop them. Parents who want daily limits will still need to use Apple’s Screen Time controls or Google Family Link. Coverstar is not risk-free. Kids are still posting videos, commenting and interacting with other people online. Parents should still talk with children about what they post, who can see it and
how much time they spend on the app.
But for families who are not ready for TikTok, Coverstar removes some of the biggest concerns, including private messaging and a completely open social-media environment.
For some parents, that may make it a more comfortable first step into social media.
