Warning for Parents: The Dangers of Snapchat and How It Can Be Used to Hide Things

Cleveland, OH – In recent years, Snapchat has become a popular social media platform among teens, but its features pose significant risks that parents should be aware of. Here are some critical aspects of Snapchat that could potentially endanger your child and tips on how to mitigate these risks.

1. Disappearing Messages

Snapchat’s core feature is that messages, photos, and videos disappear after being viewed. While this might seem harmless, it can encourage risky behavior, as users might feel that their actions won’t have lasting consequences. Teens may use this feature to hide inappropriate content from parents and guardians.

2. Snap Map

The Snap Map feature allows users to share their real-time location with friends, which can be fun for social interactions but also dangerous. Strangers can potentially see your child’s location if they are not careful with their privacy settings [❞] [❞].

3. My Eyes Only

This is a private vault within Snapchat where users can store photos and videos with a passcode. This feature can be used to hide inappropriate content, making it harder for parents to monitor their child’s activities on the app [❞] [❞].

4. Live Chat and Video Calls

Snapchat allows users to have live chats and video calls, which can connect teens with people they have never met in person. This opens up the risk of interacting with strangers who might have harmful intentions [❞].

5. Discover and Spotlight

These sections expose users to a wide range of content, some of which may not be appropriate for younger audiences. Although Snapchat tries to filter out explicit content, teens can still encounter inappropriate material [❞].

Tips for Parents

• Monitor Usage: Use apps like Bark to monitor your child’s Snapchat activity and receive alerts for inappropriate content.
• Privacy Settings: Ensure your child’s Snapchat settings are set to private, especially the Snap Map feature.
• Open Dialogue: Have regular conversations with your child about their online activities and the potential dangers of interacting with strangers.
• Educate on Safe Practices: Teach your child about the importance of not sharing personal information and the risks of engaging with unknown individuals online.

By staying informed and involved in your child’s digital life, you can help ensure their safety while they navigate social media platforms like Snapchat.

For more information on keeping your child safe on Snapchat, you can visit Bark’s Guide to Snapchat or the Social Media Victims Law Center.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to local resources or consult online safety guides to stay proactive in protecting your child’s digital well-being.