With its fun filters, transient chat function and simple design, Snapchat is appealing to people of all ages — 422 million daily users, in fact. And with that level of popularity, many parents may find themselves fending off requests from their children as they ask themselves, “Is Snapchat safe for kids?” After all, despite its minimum age requirement of 13, it seems like everyone and their mother has an account. With its call and chat functions, in addition to its other features, it has crossed from simply a social media app to a central point of communication for some kids, from conveying work schedules to discussing sports among teammates.
And while the pressure to join it can be intense with it being so commonly used, Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer for Bark Technologies and author of “Parenting in a Tech World” advises against being too hasty to allow it. “Even if your child would only use Snapchat to message cousins and use the fun filters, there are still dangers lurking around every corner in the app, most of which come from other users, which you can’t control,” she says.
With that caution in mind, the experts we spoke to shared their advice below on what conversations to have with kids and how to navigate the risks associated with Snapchat.
What is Snapchat?
Founded in 2011, Snapchat started as a picture- and video-sharing chat app that flew in the face of the idea that “the internet is forever.” Instead of posting a photo or sending a message that lasts, users were given the option to select how long the recipient could view their message before it disappeared. And if the recipient took a screenshot, they would be notified.
Additionally, in direct contrast to Instagram and Facebook, Snapchat’s focus has a more closed network feel, “with the deliberate absence of public-facing follower numbers and usernames, engagement metrics (i.e., likes, comments, views, etc.), and permanent posts (unlike IG feed posts),” according to an article in “Library Technology Reports.”
While these original features are still present, Snapchat has since expanded. In addition to sending messages and images, Snapchat users can now call other users (with video or without), create personalized avatars, share “stories,” play around with augmented reality filters on both photos and videos (like a filter that transposes your face on a dancing banana), use a live location map and so much more.
“[Explain that] nothing on the internet truly disappears, even seemingly ephemeral Snapchat photos.”
— Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer for Bark Technologies and author of “Parenting in a Tech World”
What are the potential risks for kids using Snapchat?
Because of its fun features and sheer number of users, it’s no wonder that kids may feel a lot of pressure to join. However, the experts we spoke to agreed that it’s important for parents to learn about the possible downsides of children using Snapchat. Here are some potential dangers to consider before allowing your children to join.
A false sense of security
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that when you share messages and images on Snapchat they will disappear forever, says Jordan. The reality is that people can take screenshots (and yes, you will be notified of it) or even take a photo using another phone. Kids might share personal information or embarrassing secrets with someone they think they can trust, and then, end up blindsided when it isn’t kept confidential. Because of that, Jordan advises explaining to kids that “nothing on the internet truly disappears, even seemingly ephemeral Snapchat photos.”
Online predators
In a study on digital well-being done by Snap, Inc., researchers found that “65% of Gen Z teens and young adults, on all platforms and devices – not just Snapchat — said they or their friends were targeted in online catfishing scams, or were hacked by criminals who stole explicit personal imagery or other private information. In both scenarios, the resulting photos and videos were then used to threaten or blackmail the young people, with abusers demanding money, gift cards, more sexual imagery or other personal information in supposed exchange for not releasing the material to the young person’s family and friends.”
With that in mind, Jordan advises talking with your children about what she calls “tricky people” and online predators. She adds that “as kids get older, they may feel immune to these dangers, but the truth is that they’re still vulnerable. Predators are experts at manipulating children, and it can happen on Snapchat as easily (if not more so) as any other platform.”
Bullying
While the traditional view of bullying is of stealing lunch money and covert attacks in bathrooms, applications like Snapchat have opened a digital road for these altercations. “For many kids, Snapchat is just their way of communicating,” says Cathy Pedrayes, a tech-safety influencer and author of “The Mom Friend Guide to Everyday Safety and Security.” “Instead of texting, they Snap.”
She adds that while this can be a positive avenue for interacting with friends, it is also another access point for bullies.
The possibility of bullying was one of the reasons Raychel Erdmanczyk, an office assistant and parent of four in Winona, Minnesota, hasn’t allowed her children (who range in age from 11 to 18) to have the app. “I don’t like the ease and potential of bullying, inappropriate content, constant need to respond, disappearing messaging,” she explains. “I do not feel [these aspects] are OK or safe for children.”
Easier access to drugs
According to Jordan, drug dealers can and do use Snapchat to target kids and sell illegal substances. “They then deliver these substances as quickly and easily as a pizza, straight to their house,” she says. She shared the story of Sammy Chapman, a high school student who had a drug dealer reach out to him on Snapchat. The drug dealer brought him pills laced with fentanyl, and he overdosed.
Because no one wants their child to fall prey to a similar situation, Jordan advises having these difficult conversations. “No one wants to think about their kids buying illegal drugs, but peer pressure is real,” she says. “Make sure your kid knows that laced drugs don’t look any different from other drugs and that there’s always a chance that there’s a lethal dose of fentanyl in pills.”
“[Snapchat] gamifies some of its features to keep kids addicted. Snapstreaks, for example, show how many days in a row two people message each other. Some kids get obsessed with keeping up their streaks — sometimes into the hundreds or thousands.”
— Titania Jordan
Digital addiction
The internet is so solidly intertwined with most people’s daily lives that the line between healthy use and addiction is very fine and hard to define. But Snapchat can be particularly problematic because it “gamifies some of its features to keep kids addicted,” says Jordan. “Snapstreaks, for example, show how many days in a row two people message each other. Some kids get obsessed with keeping up their streaks — sometimes into the hundreds or thousands.”
She adds that Snapchat addiction can look like any other digital addiction and to keep an eye out for the following changes in behavior:
- Increased irritability when not on their phone
- Hiding their screen when you’re near
- Losing interest in other activities
- Disruptions in sleep, eating or grades
Compromised cyber security
Unfortunately, as tech-savvy as they may be, children are not immune to phishing and internet scams. In fact, Pedrayes says, “Cybersecurity is a big issue with kids. They tend to not have strong passwords and are susceptible to falling for phishing scams. So if [they’re] not careful, a hacker can gain access to their account and use that to scam friends.” The hacker could also potentially access images saved on their “private” camera roll and make those public, she adds.
That said, aside from best cybersecurity practices (like strong passwords, two-factor authentication and customizing settings (especially Snap Map), there’s one safety measure Pedrayes always reminds parents of: “[Don’t] save anything in an app that would embarrass you publicly. Even if it’s in the “drafts” folder, it can become public.”
How to keep your kids safe on Snapchat
Because Snapchat is so popular with young people and there’s a lot of pressure to use it as early as middle school, according to Jordan, parents should decide whether or not they’ll allow the app and set firm boundaries. Here is some advice and tips from the experts we spoke to to get your gears turning.
Keep the lines of communication open
Even if you don’t plan on allowing Snapchat, Erdmanczyk and Pedrayes both recommend understanding why your child wants to use it. Is it because a friend is on it? Are there conversations happening on Snapchat for a group she’s in? Instead of just shutting them down, Erdmanczyk says to “be willing to hear your child out. You don’t want to just ignore them and their desires. I think that this is a good way to continue good, open dialogue with your child.”
“While we all have those fears, the perspective is more about preparing them for life online and giving them the tools to succeed. It’s like teaching them how to drive. Driving can be dangerous, but we teach them how to minimize their risks on the road.”
— Cathy Pedrayes, a tech-safety influencer and author of “The Mom Friend Guide to Everyday Safety and Security”
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing
If you’re unsure if your child is ready to use it, Pedrayes says that you don’t have to give them access to everything all at once. Instead, you might offer them a sliding scale where they earn more access based on their demonstrated responsible behavior, she says. That could mean monitoring their use in a common area or restricting the hours in which they can use it.
One way to accomplish this type of oversight is by using parental controls on an existing phone or by using a blocking app (like Bark) to keep Snapchat off-limits all day except for a short time (like 6 pm to 7 pm) when they’re in your presence, says Jordan. “This way, you can make sure they’re not taking inappropriate photos,” she notes.
If you’re going to allow it, you should be on it too
While this might feel awkward at first, Pedrayes recommends joining Snapchat if you allow your child to use it. After all, “it’s hard to give advice about an app you’ve never used,” she says.
Educate them on general internet safety
Whether you decide to allow it or not, talking about internet safety with your kids is still a good idea. If you’re unsure of where to start, Pedrayes recommends The TechTalk from Mozilla, which guides you through different topics on the subject.
Additionally, she suggests utilizing Common Sense Media’s website, which includes parental guides to different apps and resources for teaching kids about internet safety.
You might also show them “examples of scams and manipulative tactics bad actors might use online,” says Pedrayes. “Because once you know the tactics, it’s easier for you to recognize them, and it’s less likely you’ll fall for it.”
A final word on Snapchat safety
From bullying to online security threats, there are plenty of reasons for parents to be hesitant about allowing their children to use Snapchat. But if you’re considering it, Pedrayes recommends coming to the conversations with your children over Snapchat from a place of confidence, not fear.
“While we all have those fears (I’m a parent, too), the perspective is more about preparing them for life online and giving them the tools to succeed,” she says. “It’s like teaching them how to drive. Driving can be dangerous, but we teach them how to minimize their risks on the road.”
In the same way, by keeping the lines of communication open and educating yourself and your children about the risks associated with using Snapchat, you will mitigate some of the dangers your child might encounter.
