A Parent's Guide: Should Kids Use Snapchat?

Snapchat remains one of the most popular social media platforms for tweens and teens. It allows users to exchange videos and images—but unlike many other platforms, Snapchat’s content is designed to “disappear.” This feature often gives users a false sense of security, leading them to believe their posts are ephemeral. However, as with anything shared online, Snaps can resurface long after they’ve expired.

Any social media app can pose risks for kids, but Snapchat’s unique design requires some extra caution. Below, we break down what parents need to know and how to help their kids use Snapchat safely.

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a mobile app available on iOS and Android. It started as a platform for private, individual-to-individual messaging but has since expanded its features. Users can create and share short videos, engage in live video chats, post "stories" that last 24 hours and customize their content with filters, augmented reality (AR) lenses and stickers.

A standout feature is Snapchat’s disappearing content: private messages vanish after being viewed, and stories expire within a day. However, modern devices can bypass this with screen recording, making it essential to teach kids that nothing online truly disappears.

Snapchat also tracks user activity through:

• Snap Score: A metric combining Snaps sent, received and stories posted.
• Snap Streaks: Ongoing exchanges of daily Snaps with friends. These streaks have become so important to users that losing one often results in requests to Snapchat for reinstatement.

Snapchat currently has 443 million daily active users globally, with teens comprising a significant portion. On average, active users open the app nearly 40 times a day, demonstrating its addictive appeal.

Should Kids Use Snapchat?

Snapchat’s Terms of Service require users to be 13 or older, but it’s easy for younger children to bypass this restriction. For parents considering whether Snapchat is appropriate for their child, here are the biggest safety concerns:

1. Connecting with Strangers

Snapchat makes it easy to add new “friends” through usernames, phone numbers or Snapcodes. Kids may unintentionally connect with strangers, opening the door to oversharing or unwanted attention. Additionally, the Snap Map feature allows users to share their precise live location with others, down to street level.

What Parents Can Do:

• Discuss the risks of adding people they don’t know.
• Set Snap Map to Ghost Mode to hide their location. (Go to Profile > Settings > "See My Location.")
• Regularly review their contact list and help them remove unfamiliar people.

2. Mature and Inappropriate Content

Snapchat’s Discover section features a mix of user-generated content, brand advertisements and entertainment. While the app uses AI to restrict explicit material for younger users, changing a birth date in the app is simple—and not all inappropriate content is filtered out.

What Parents Can Do:

• Periodically check the age set on your child’s account to ensure it’s accurate.
• Discuss the Discover section and teach kids how to ignore or block content that feels uncomfortable.

3. Disappearing Messages and Snaps

The disappearing nature of Snaps often creates a false sense of security, encouraging users to post impulsively. Screenshots and screen recordings are still possible, meaning any Snap can resurface and have long-term consequences.

What Parents Can Do:

• Remind kids that once they send a Snap, they lose control over it.
• Teach them to pause before posting and consider the potential impact if their Snap were shared publicly.

4. Social Validation and Pressure

Snapchat encourages engagement through features like Snap Scores and Snap Streaks. While these can be fun, they may also create unhealthy pressure, leading kids to prioritize streaks over more meaningful interactions.

What Parents Can Do:

• Talk to kids about why these metrics don’t define their worth.
• Set boundaries around how much time they spend on Snapchat to avoid burnout.

New Safety Features Parents Should Know

Snapchat has introduced tools aimed at improving safety and giving parents more oversight. These include:

1. Family Center

The Family Center allows parents to view who their child has been messaging over the past seven days (without viewing the message content). This tool also lets parents see their child’s friend list.

How to Set It Up:

1. Go to your child's Snapchat account settings.
2. Tap "Family Center" and follow the prompts to link your account.
3. Use this feature to guide conversations about appropriate connections and usage.

2. My AI Chatbot

Snapchat recently added My AI, a chatbot powered by OpenAI. While it can be helpful for answering questions or providing suggestions, it may expose kids to topics they aren’t ready to handle.

What Parents Can Do:

• Consider disabling My AI (go to Profile > Settings > "Clear My AI from Chat Feed").
• Monitor their interactions with the chatbot and discuss any questions or concerns that arise.

How to Make Snapchat Safer for Kids

Although Snapchat doesn’t have a public feed like other platforms, parents can still take steps to protect their children:

• Adjust Privacy Settings:
  • Go to Settings and configure who can:
    • Send messages: Set to "Friends only."
    • View their story: Set to "Friends only" or a custom list.
    • See their location: Enable Ghost Mode to keep their location private.
• Educate About Screen Recording Risks:
  • Explain that others can screen-record Snaps or chats without permission.
• Use the Family Center:
  • Regularly review their friend list and recent interactions to identify any red flags.
• Have Ongoing Conversations:
  • Check in about how they’re using Snapchat and whether it’s a positive experience.

Is Snapchat Right for Your Family?

Snapchat’s design comes with unique risks, especially for younger users. Parents should weigh their child’s maturity, ability to handle explicit content and understanding of digital footprints before allowing them to use the app.

For older, responsible teens, Snapchat can be a creative outlet and a fun way to connect with friends—provided it’s used thoughtfully. Regardless of your decision, keeping the conversation open about social media habits is key to fostering a healthy relationship with technology.

If you’re looking for a safer way to connect online, check out the Kinzoo app. It’s free to download and offers a secure space for kids and families to stay in touch through fun games, activities, and video calls.

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Editorial credit: XanderSt / Shutterstock.com