Many things about privacy while enjoying the fun features of the app. Instead of forbidding Snapchat use, discussing the potential dangers of using an anonymous messaging app carelessly may be more effective.
Snapchat has undoubtedly grown into a multi-faceted communication platform over the years and still causes s to favor it over other messaging apps. However, it has a few features that may be risky for younger s to enable and use without proper supervision. For example, the ability to see a friend's map location, though convenient in certain situations, may not always be a safe option to have. In addition, Snapchat's 'Discover' page may not always have age-appropriate content. Finally, even the possibility of creating public profiles may have risk factors, especially for children who don't necessarily understand what it means to be public on the internet.
Snapchat's of service require s to be at least 13 years old to use the app, and those under 18 (or the legal age of the country the resides in) may only use it with prior consent from a parent or legal guardian. However, those below the age limit still manage to get on the app, often through sheer trickery. For example, it's relatively easy for tech-savvy children to get through the process that requires a person to input a birth date since there's no real age verification in place.
What Kids Need To Be Careful Of When Using Snapchat
To ensure that using s who abuse the app for nefarious reasons. Lastly, while it's perfectly fine for older s who can self-regulate to engage in a Snapstreak—a back-and-forth snap exchange within a 24-hour timeframe—younger kids may have a hard time concentrating on anything else, may feel pressure and anxiety over keeping up the streak, and may wrongfully use the feature as a means to measure a friendship's value.
Of course, scaring kids with these possibilities isn't the only way to ensure the safe use of Snapchat. keep Ghost Mode enabled for s that aren't family or close-knit pals, allowing s to see the map without sharing their location. Make sure all privacy settings under 'Who Can' are set to 'My Friends' only. For kids below 13 who are technically not allowed to create an but would like to experience the joys of Snapchat, consider doing a t that can only be accessed through the parent's phone and only give access when a responsible adult is present while they use the app.
Let the child know that a regular check-in on their app use is required and may include seeing some of the snaps they share. To lessen awkwardness, ask them to share what they like about the app and demonstrate how it works. s for Snapchat are currently being developed, but until those features are officially launched, all parents can do is maximize parental involvement, the most crucial ingredient in the recipe for Snapchat safety for kids.
Source: Snapchat 1, 2, 3, 4, Vox