iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts

Zift Advisory

iHeartRadio is a music and radio streaming app that allows listeners to listen to music, thousands of radio stations, podcasts, and more. iHeartRadio is free to download and use and is available in the iTunes app store and the Google Play store. It is rated for teens ages 12 and older.

About iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts

What is iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts?

iHeartRadio is a music streaming app that combines platforms like Pandora and Spotify with the character of local radio. Users have the ability to listen to curated music stations based on their favorite artists, or they can access thousands of different local AM and FM radio stations, so they can take their favorite stations from home with them wherever they travel.

The iHeartRadio app also provides a library of podcasts and news programs, featuring personalities such as Colin Cowherd, Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro, and many more.

These basic services are free to use, but music stations will include advertisements, and a number of other features will be unavailable. For a subscription fee of $5.99 per month, users can access the features of iHeartRadio Plus, or for $12.99 per month, they can subscribe to iHeartRadio All Access.

Plus includes the ability to play songs on demand, skip an unlimited number of songs, and save songs to a playlist, while All Access includes all this in addition to the ability to listen offline and create an unlimited number of playlists.

Reviews of iHeartRadio are generally very good, with many users very happy that they can listen to their favorite radio stations from home while they are away. The average rating in the iTunes review section is a 4.3 out of 5.

Is iHeart: Radio, Music, Podcasts safe for my kids?

iHeartRadio is a safe app for kids who are old enough to have the ability to choose and listen to their own music. iHeartRadio has an age recommendation of 12 years and older to download, as there are often suggestive themes and profanity present in music.

However, parents should be aware that the iHeartRadio terms of use state that users should be "at or above the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction of residence," which in most cases is 18 years of age but vary by state.

For families that want to use iHeartRadio, they developed an app for kids called iHeartRadio Family. With iHeartRadio Family, you can manage a family subscription to the streaming service and get access to family friendly content.

Another thing to be aware of is the presence of in-app purchases, which may lead to unexpected monthly subscription expenses if kids decide to upgrade without asking permission. Parents should make sure kids know the family rules pertaining to getting permission for purchases and downloads on their phones.

iHeartRadio does not pose any threat beyond the music that users choose to listen to. There are no chat rooms or public forums within the app that may provide a place for online predators or cyberbullying.