Compare programs & platformsAges 6–176 min read
By Rhea Kapoor ·
Preply for Kids? What to Check Before Booking a Tutor Marketplace
Preply's age rules for kids and teens, how tutors are verified, recordings and messaging, and the checklist to use before booking any tutor marketplace.
Preply is a large general tutoring marketplace, best known for language lessons, and its terms are written mainly for adult learners. Teens aged 13 to 17 can use it under a parent's supervision, and its terms say users must not let anyone under 13 use the service. Before you book any tutor marketplace for your child, check who owns the account, how tutors are checked, whether lessons are recorded and where messages happen.
For a teen who wants language practice and a wide choice of tutors, a general marketplace like Preply can work well with a parent overseeing the account. For younger children, read the platform's age rules first, then look for a kids-focused platform where parents create the learner account, teachers are vetted, sessions are recorded for safety and all messages stay on the platform.
What Preply is and how it works
Preply connects learners with independent tutors for 1-on-1 online lessons. Its How it works page describes three steps: find a tutor, book a trial lesson of 25 or 50 minutes, then continue on a subscription. Subscriptions run from 1 to 5 hours a week, renew every 28 days, and can be paused, changed or canceled. If a trial doesn't suit you, Preply says you can switch tutors for free or ask for a refund.
Its real strengths are choice and flexibility. Preply says it has more than 100,000 tutors from over 180 nationalities, and lessons take place in its own virtual classroom. For a teen learning Spanish, French or English conversation, that range of native speakers and time zones is useful.
Check the age rules first
This is the single most important check for parents. Preply's Terms of Service (updated November 2025) say:
- The services are for people aged 18 and older.
- Users aged 13 to 17 may use them only with, and under the supervision of, a parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for the account.
- Users agree not to allow anyone younger than 13 to use the services.
Preply's Privacy Policy (updated June 2026) adds that 13- to 17-year-olds need a parent or guardian to set up the account, and that it discourages use by children under 13. You may still see tutor profiles that mention teaching young kids, so read the current terms yourself and follow them.
A live class on this1: 1 Writing Tutoring for Ages 6-9: Essays and Creative WritingAges 6–9General marketplace vs kids-focused platform
General marketplaces are built for anyone who wants a tutor. Kids-focused platforms are built around a parent and a child. Here is how the key safety and setup questions compare. Policies change, so check each site as of November 2026.
| What to check | Preply (general marketplace) | Kids-focused live class platform |
|---|---|---|
| Who the service is for | Adults; 13 to 17 with parent supervision; not under 13 | Children and teens, with parents in charge |
| Who creates the account | Parent or guardian for 13- to 17-year-olds | Parent creates the account and adds learner profiles |
| Tutor checks | "Verified" badge means ID and qualifications were checked | Ask what screening teachers pass before teaching kids |
| Lesson recordings | Privacy policy says lessons may be recorded with notice or consent where required | Look for recordings kept for safety, with clear rules on who can see them |
| Messaging and payment | Tutors must not teach or take payment off the platform | Look for messaging that stays on the platform and is visible to parents |
| Format | 1-on-1 lessons, usually on a subscription | Often 1-on-1 plus small group classes, clubs and camps |
Five things to check on any tutor marketplace
- Who owns the account. You should create it, hold the payment method and be able to see bookings and messages.
- How tutors are vetted. Preply's help center explains that its verified badge means the tutor's identity and qualifications were checked. Ask any platform whether it runs background checks, and what is required before someone teaches children.
- Whether lessons are recorded. Find out if sessions are recorded, why, how long recordings are kept, who can watch them, and whether recordings are used for anything else, such as product or AI development.
- Where messages happen. Keep every message on the platform. Be cautious if anyone asks to move to personal email, phone or social media.
- How refunds and trials work. Know what happens if the first lesson isn't a fit, and how to cancel a recurring plan.
On Undoschool, parents create learner accounts, messages stay on the platform, every class is recorded for safety and recordings are visible only to the learner, the teacher and the Undoschool team. Teachers are independent and vetted, and every course is reviewed before it goes live.
Setting up your child's first lessons
Whichever platform you choose, a little setup helps. Our guide on getting the most from tutoring sessions covers this in more detail.
- Use a shared space, such as the kitchen table, rather than a closed bedroom.
- Sit in on the first lesson, or at least the first few minutes.
- Tell the tutor your child's age, goal and anything that helps them focus.
- Agree on a simple goal for the first month, like holding a five-minute conversation.
- Check in with your child after each early lesson about how it felt.
What to watch for
- Requests to move off-platform: a tutor suggesting personal chat apps, email or direct payment.
- Lessons behind closed doors: a tutor asking that you leave the room or that your child turn the camera away.
- Age rules ignored: booking for a child who is younger than a platform's terms allow.
- Auto-renewals you didn't expect: subscriptions that renew every few weeks. Set a calendar reminder.
Frequently asked questions
Can kids use Preply?
Preply's terms say users aged 13 to 17 may use it under a parent or guardian's supervision, and that users must not let anyone under 13 use the service. Check the current terms before you book.
Are Preply tutors background checked?
Preply's help center says a verified badge means the tutor's identity and qualifications were checked. It doesn't describe background checks there, so ask Preply directly if that matters to you.
Are Preply lessons recorded?
Its privacy policy says it may process lesson recordings and won't record you without notice, and consent where required. Read the policy for how recordings are used.
What should I look for in a tutoring platform for a younger child?
Look for parent-created accounts, vetted teachers, recorded sessions with limited access, on-platform messaging and a clear trial or refund policy.
Find a 1-on-1 tutor built for kids
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