RATINGS & TOOLKIT
On this page, you’ll find clear, detailed information about the S.O.S. ratings and icons, along with an at-a-glance view of how social media companies are performing against these standards. The goal is to help parents, youth, educators, and other stakeholders quickly understand what the ratings mean, how they’re applied, and how different platforms compare.
The S.O.S. Toolkit was developed with direct input from users to ensure it is easy to understand and practical to use. It includes tailored resources for parents, youth, educators, and healthcare providers, recognizing that each group engages with the SOS program in different ways and has different needs.
HOW S.O.S. RATINGS WORK
Use Carefully
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Platforms and filters help reduce exposure to harmful or inappropriate content
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Reporting tools are accessible and easy to use
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Privacy, default and safety functions are clear and easy to set for parents
Partial Protection
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Some safety tools exist on the platforms, but can be hard to find or use
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Harmful content can be on the platform and missed by content moderation
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Some functions such as endless scrolling can create stress for youth
Does Not Meet The Standards
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Filters and content moderation do not reliably block harmful or unsafe content
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Platform lacks policies, functions or transparency related to unsafe content
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There are weak, missing or lacking privacy and safety protections
Under Review
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This icon indicates that a company has completed a self-assessment and provided back-up documentation and evidence that is being reviewed by experts for scoring.
Application Pending
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This icon indicates that a company has started but not yet completed the application process.
"What safety rules exist and how clearly they are defined"
Risk Categories: Policy category has three standards that assess the company's policies on user safety, adveritising and research on teens (13-19)
Risk Details: Generally, this category informs users on the accessibility, development (user input), evidence-based, enforceable actions, company response, of policies around mental health, suicide and self-harm issues, advertising and research on teens (13-19).
RATINGS BY COMPANY
Policy
What safety rules exist and how clearly they are defined.
TBD