Soundcloud – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Soundcloud

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2009

64%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

The raw, unpolished edge of the music world where discovery is high but the safety rails are non-existent.

Soundcloud

app

2009

64%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

The raw, unpolished edge of the music world where discovery is high but the safety rails are non-existent.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

SoundCloud is where music goes to be born, but it’s also where it stays un-parented. Unlike Spotify, which feels like a curated library, SoundCloud feels like a giant, messy basement show. It’s essential for kids who are serious about music production or finding 'the next big thing,' but it requires a high level of digital maturity.

The app's greatest strength—its openness—is its biggest liability for parents. There is no real 'kids mode.' If your kid is on it, they are seeing the same thing a 25-year-old DJ in Berlin is seeing. If they're just looking for the Frozen soundtrack, stick to a more curated service. If they're starting to produce their own beats, this is their home base—just keep the DMs on your radar.

Age Fit

SoundCloud is strictly for the 13+ crowd. Younger kids don't need the social exposure or the unfiltered lyrics. For teens, it's a badge of musical 'cool,' but only if they're savvy enough to ignore the bots and the trolls in the comments.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a neutral tool for music. While it doesn't push 'wholesome' values, it's a platform for pure artistic expression, though that expression often includes mature themes, language, and 'Soundcloud rap' culture which isn't always kid-friendly.

Imaginative

This is the 'Wild West' of music. It's arguably the best platform for seeing the raw creative process, from bedroom demos to experimental remixes. The waveform-based commenting allows for a unique, imaginative way to interact with specific moments in a track.

Safe

Capped due to unmoderated user-generated content. Between explicit lyrics, potentially graphic cover art, and a comment section that can get toxic or spammy, it's not a 'safe' walled garden. Direct messaging is also active by default.

Enriching

Great for music literacy. It teaches kids about music production, independent distribution, and the global nature of art. For a kid interested in making their own beats, it's an essential classroom.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Indie discovery is unmatched; if a track is going viral on TikTok, it probably started as a SoundCloud upload.
Visualizing music through the waveform display helps kids understand song structure and dynamics in a way other apps don't.
Low barrier to entry for young creators who want to share their own music or podcasts with the world.
Community vibes for niche genres like lo-fi, vaporwave, or hyperpop that don't always thrive on mainstream platforms.

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What to Watch For

The comment section is pinned to specific timestamps in the song; these can be funny, but they can also be incredibly crude or include bot-driven scams.
Explicit content is the default. There is no 'clean' toggle that effectively hides the mature themes common in indie rap and electronic music.
Direct Messaging allows anyone to contact your kid if their profile is public, which is the standard setup for creators.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think some artists choose to post here instead of on Spotify or Apple Music?"
"Have you seen any comments on the waveform that felt mean or out of place?"
"If you were going to upload a track, what kind of 'vibe' or genre would you want to share?"
"How can you tell if a remix is better than the original song?"

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