[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Snapchat is one of Gen Z and Alpha\u2019s most popular communication apps: in 2024, Qustodio app insights showed that Snapchat was the <\/span>2nd most favored communication tool<\/span><\/a> among 4-18-year-olds globally, while in the US, Snapchat ranked 1st, with kids in the country racking up an impressive average of 90 daily minutes on the instant messaging platform.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite its huge popularity, the app has managed to stay off the radar in a turbulent year for online safety: the discussion surrounding younger teens and digital danger has mostly circled around social media, but <\/span>Snapchat has its own dark side that parents need to be aware of<\/b>. Here\u2019s what parents need to know about Snapchat and how to keep teens safe as they explore.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Snapchat is a messaging app where users can create messages, known as \u201csnaps\u201d, which can come in the form of a short video, a photo, or text. Snaps can be sent directly to contacts within the app, or uploaded to a story feed, available for 24 hours after upload. Snaps are easy to customize, letting users add filters, special effects, drawings, and captions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Younger users like Snapchat as it\u2019s a fun, creative way for them to talk to friends<\/b>. Snapchat\u2019s features make it easy for teens to keep others in the loop, through messages captured in the moment, a chronological story feed, and location sharing with the \u201cSnap Map\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When signing up for Snapchat, your teen has to enter their date of birth. Profiles are private by default for anyone using Snapchat. However, <\/span>users between the ages of 13 and 17 are automatically given a different experience to users 18+<\/b>. Younger teens on Snapchat can\u2019t access public profiles, which allow users to share content with anyone, even if they\u2019re not friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Teens on Snapchat can:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n According to Snapchat\u2019s terms of service, users have to be 13 and over to be able to create a profile and send snaps to contacts. Users enter their birthday on signup, but as there\u2019s no verification process, it\u2019s pretty easy for under-13s to bypass any age restrictions – much like with any social media or communications app with age limits. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2025\/01\/30151238\/2025-01-Blog_IsSnapchatSafeForKids_InsideImage.png” alt=”teenagers using snapchat” title_text=”2025-01-Blog_IsSnapchatSafeForKids_InsideImage” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Disappearing messages<\/b><\/p>\n As messages can disappear on Snapchat after they\u2019ve been viewed, this can create a false sense of security and anonymity, potentially emboldening users and <\/span>encouraging risky behavior, such as <\/b>sending sexually explicit messages<\/b><\/a> or images<\/b>. Younger users could be tempted to send content or text that they normally wouldn\u2019t otherwise share, believing that it will vanish without a trace – despite the fact the receiver could easily screenshot conversations or images they\u2019re sent over Snapchat. Snapchat does have a feature that tells users if their message has been screenshotted, but nothing prevents other users from doing this.<\/span><\/p>\n Cyberbullying<\/b><\/p>\n Because of Snapchat\u2019s anonymity, teens can be emboldened in many ways, including bullying. <\/span>Users can send hurtful messages and content, believing that they will disappear <\/b>and they will not be able to be held accountable. Snapchat\u2019s vanishing messages make it difficult for victims of bullying and harassment to document evidence and <\/span>report the behavior<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Location sharing<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Teens often use location sharing as a status symbol to signal close bonds with ‘best friends’ or new romantic partners. Additionally, this Snapchat feature could serve as a safety feature, particularly in group settings like parties.<\/span><\/p>\n However, <\/span>Snap Map’s location tracking feature raises privacy concerns<\/b> as, when switched on, your teen\u2019s location is continuously shared with friends and strangers, and <\/span>can inadvertently reveal sensitive locations like homes and schools<\/b>. While Snap Map can\u2019t be turned off, users can hide their location by enabling ‘Ghost Mode’, which prevents others from seeing where they are; however, Snapchat will still track your location data for internal purposes. Alternatively, you can disable location services entirely in device settings, restricting the app’s use of all location-based features.<\/span><\/p>\n Predators<\/b><\/p>\n Snapchat accounts aren\u2019t verified, making it easy for <\/span>online predators<\/span><\/a> to misrepresent themselves on the platform by creating false identities to deceive young users. According to figures supplied to the NSPCC, a UK children\u2019s charity, <\/span>Snapchat is the most widely used platform for online grooming<\/span><\/a>, with almost half of grooming offenses where the platform was known occurring on Snapchat. <\/span>The heavy emphasis on anonymity and disappearing content allows predators to target, groom, and manipulate young victims<\/b>, especially as evidence of their interactions quickly disappears unless screenshotted or recorded.<\/span><\/p>\n Violence<\/b><\/p>\n Snapchat\u2019s community guidelines don\u2019t allow posts containing threats, violence, or harm, but this doesn\u2019t stop them from slipping through the cracks. <\/span>Fights, sexual assault, violent attacks, and other disturbing content are often shared on social media<\/b>, <\/span>uploaded to stories on Snapchat<\/span><\/a> and spread around friends lists quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Gamification<\/b><\/p>\n Snapchat rewards users for being active on the platform, building up something called a \u201cSnapstreak\u201d between contacts. By sending and receiving photo or video Snaps between you and a friend in a 24-hour period, you add to a daily streak, with the numbers building up for each day you interact. If you\u2019re silent during this 24-hour period, your streak will vanish, resetting the number to 0. Through this gamified approach, <\/span>some teens could be encouraged to log into the app every single day <\/b>to keep their streak up.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Snapchat raises several significant concerns for teen users, but if your child is already using the app, or if you are happy with them using Snapchat, there are some measures you can take to make it somewhat safer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Snapchat allows children to chat with friends, explore and express themselves creatively, and build connections with those around them. That said, <\/span>the potential for bullying, risky behavior, exposure to sexual content, and the possibility of grooming should set off alarm bells<\/b> for any concerned parent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We don\u2019t recommend Snapchat for younger teens<\/b>, as the benefits don\u2019t particularly outweigh the risks at this age. However, as with most social media, older teens need to understand the risks they will face as they navigate the online world, and be given the tools and guidance necessary. If you\u2019ve decided to allow your child access to Snapchat, engage in conversations about what they should be sharing on the platform, revise the safety features and make sure they know how to use them, and check in on how their app use is making them feel on a regular basis. Finally, to support your teen as they explore online, make sure they know they can come to you when they need help – no matter whether it\u2019s in the digital world or not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Snapchat is one of Gen Z and Alpha\u2019s most popular communication apps: in 2024, Qustodio app insights showed that Snapchat was the 2nd most favored communication tool among 4-18-year-olds globally, while in the US, Snapchat ranked 1st, with kids in the country racking up an impressive average of 90 daily minutes on the instant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":82108,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSnapchat: a simple summary<\/b><\/h2>\n
What can my teen do on Snapchat?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\n
How old do you have to be to use Snapchat?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/h2>\n
What are the risks on Snapchat?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Can I make Snapchat safe for my teen?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\n
Qustodio\u2019s final recommendation<\/b><\/h2>\n