SNAPCHAT
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MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos and messages that often disappear after being viewed. It focuses on quick, visual communication through features like Stories, filters and augmented reality lenses, group chats and the Snap Map, which can show a user’s location if enabled. Alongside entertainment features such as Spotlight videos and creator content, Snapchat includes privacy tools like Ghost Mode, blocking, reporting and parental support through Family Centre to help users manage their safety online. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with extreme caution. 🔞 Exposure to Inappropriate Content Snapchat can expose users to unmoderated content, including inappropriate photos, sexualised content, graphic images and adult language. Since users create their own profiles and share images freely, it's easy for inappropriate material to appear. 📍 Location Sharing Location sharing on Snapchat through Snap Map is off by default, and only the people you choose can see where you are. Users can decide to share their location with all friends they’ve added back, a select group of friends, or no one by using Ghost Mode. Location updates depend on device permissions - for example, if set to “Only while using,” the location disappears after 24 hours of inactivity. Features like Arrival Notifications allow users to alert trusted friends when they reach chosen places, but these are also off by default and must be manually switched on. It’s important to remember that Snaps submitted to the public Snap Map may still appear on the map regardless of personal location settings, so reviewing privacy options regularly is key. 💬 Direct Messaging By default, chats usually happen between friends who have added each other, but users can adjust settings to allow messages from friends only or from a wider audience. Messages can be sent as text, photos, videos, voice notes or through group chats, and many chats disappear after they’ve been viewed unless saved. If someone you don’t know tries to contact you, their message may appear as a request, and users can block, remove or report accounts at any time to stay safe. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Tools like Snap Map, Stories and group chats can share more information than expected - including location, contact lists or who you interact with - depending on your settings. While messages often disappear, screenshots, screen recordings or saved chats can still be kept by others. Public posts submitted to the Snap Map or Discover spaces may also be visible beyond your friends. Regularly checking privacy controls, limiting who can contact you or view your location, and avoiding sharing personal details are important steps to help keep your account secure. 🚨Disappearing Messages On Snapchat, most Snaps and Chats are designed to delete automatically, but how long they stay depends on the feature used and the settings chosen. Typically, messages disappear after they’ve been viewed or within 24 hours, while unopened Snaps delete after 31 days (or 7 days in group chats). Users can change chat deletion settings, save messages, or keep Snaps in chat, which means they may stay longer. Stories usually expire after 24 hours, while content shared publicly - like Snap Map or Topic Chats - can be visible for longer periods. Messages sent to My AI are stored until manually deleted, and anything saved in Memories remains backed up until the user removes it. 🧑💻 Online Predators and Grooming Because Snapchat uses disappearing messages and private chats, it can be misused for grooming if someone builds trust with a young person and encourages secrecy. Risks increase when users accept messages from strangers or share their location. Keeping accounts private, limiting contact to known friends, and reporting or blocking suspicious behaviour are important ways to stay safe. Some teens on Snapchat may be targeted by strangers who quickly move conversations into private chats and build trust to exploit them, including pressure around relationships or exposure to drugs. Keeping accounts private, avoiding unknown contacts, and reporting suspicious behaviour can help reduce these risks. 📱 Cyberbullying and Harassment Cyberbullying and harassment can happen on Snapchat through group chats, private messages, Stories or anonymous-style interactions where users may send hurtful comments, spread rumours or repeatedly contact someone. Because messages can disappear, harmful behaviour may feel harder to prove, which can make it more distressing for young people. Using privacy settings, limiting who can contact you, saving evidence of messages, and blocking or reporting abusive accounts are important steps to help stay safe online. 🧠 Addiction & Mental Health Snapchat is built to keep people hooked—daily streaks, constant notifications, and fun filters make it hard to take a break. For some teens, this can lead to stress, FOMO (fear of missing out), and even anxiety if they don’t feel “good enough” online. 🎮 Game-related Concerns Although it isn’t a video game, Snapchat includes interactive features such as Streaks and achievement-style rewards that encourage regular engagement. For some young people, these can create pressure to stay active on the app, which may lead them to focus more on maintaining their online activity than on offline priorities like schoolwork, rest or wellbeing. 📢 Lack of Advert Moderation Some users and online-safety groups have raised concerns that advertising and sponsored content on Snapchat can sometimes be difficult for young people to recognise, especially when ads appear similar to regular Stories or creator content. While the platform says it reviews ads against its policies, risks can include exposure to age-inappropriate promotions, influencer marketing that isn’t clearly labelled, or misleading products. Encouraging teens to understand how ads work, use ad-preference controls, and report content that feels unsafe or deceptive can help reduce potential harm. 💸 In-App Purchases In-app purchases on Snapchat include features like Snapchat+, a paid subscription that users can buy for themselves or gift to others. Snapchat+ can be gifted directly within the app through the membership screen, where the recipient receives a chat notification, or through third-party gift cards (such as Amazon) that are redeemed online. These purchases unlock extra features and customisation options, so it’s important for families to be aware of payment settings and spending controls. 🔓 Scams & Account Security Scammers may use Snapchat to send fake links or messages designed to collect personal information or login details. Some may impersonate others to gain trust or access to private content. Because messages can disappear, these scams may be harder to spot or report, making it important to stay cautious and avoid sharing sensitive information. |
SAFETY TIPS:
👨👩👧👦 Family Center on Snapchat is a parental tool that gives parents insight into their teen’s activity while keeping private messages unread. It allows parents to see who their teen has recently chatted with, view friends and group members, monitor new friend additions, check key privacy settings, request location sharing on Snap Map, set place alerts, limit sensitive content, and report accounts. It’s designed to support supervision and safety without giving access to the content of conversations. Snapchat Support can be accessed here. 👀 Home Arrival Notifications allow a young person to automatically notify a chosen friend when they arrive home. Alerts can be set as a one-off (expiring after 24 hours) or to send every time they return home. These notifications rely on location sharing being switched on, and will stop if your teen enables Ghost Mode or turns location sharing off. Friends can also choose not to receive these alerts. For parents, it’s important to know this feature depends on live location settings - so regular privacy checks and conversations about who receives location updates are recommended. 📲Understand the app - Familiarise yourself with Snapchat’s features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 📢Underage Accounts - While Snapchat has a minimum age requirement, its age checks rely largely on self-reported information. This means some users may enter false dates of birth or create fake profiles, which can increase the risk of children and young people being contacted by accounts that are not who they claim to be. 👥Managing Friend Requests - Encourage your child to only accept friend requests from people they know and trust in real life. Remind them that “friends of friends” online may still be strangers, and mutual connections do not automatically make someone safe. 📷 Webcam Safety - Talk to your child about covering their webcam when it’s not in use. Help them understand the importance of being aware of what’s visible in the background during video calls, as personal items or surroundings can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trusting Their Instincts - Reassure your child that if something feels uncomfortable, they should leave the chat immediately. Encourage them not to engage with anyone who seems suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate, and to tell a trusted adult. 🖥️ Keeping Devices in Shared Spaces - Where possible, keep internet-connected devices in shared areas such as living rooms or kitchens rather than bedrooms. This can help reduce risky behaviour and makes it easier to supervise online activity naturally. 🚨 Recognising Warning Signs - Be aware of changes in your child’s behaviour, such as increased anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These may indicate that something concerning has happened online. 💬Keeping Communication Open - Have regular, open conversations about online safety, including topics such as bullying, grooming, sexual or criminal exploitation, body image pressures, and how to report concerns or seek support. Creating a safe space for FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you see suspected child sexual abuse content online, report it to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which helps remove illegal images from the internet. If you’re worried about online sexual exploitation or abuse, you can make a report to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) - a UK law enforcement team dedicated to protecting children and young people online. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Factsheets for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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