Why Snapchat is definitely not Safe for Your Young Child
Why Snapchat is definitely not Safe for Your Young Child
As we know it’s almost impossible to keep kids away from screens and social media. Platforms like Snapchat, with its fun filters, disappearing messages, and creative features, are particularly appealing to younger children. While it might seem harmless at first glance, Snapchat poses several risks that parents need to be aware of, especially when it comes to younger children.
In this blog, we’ll explore the potential dangers of Snapchat for young children and offer some practical tips to help parents keep their kids safe if they choose to allow them to have it.
Why Snapchat Appeals to Kids
Before diving into the risks, let’s first understand why Snapchat is so enticing for children. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Snapchat allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after being viewed. This gives kids the impression that their activities are temporary and private. Add in the wide array of playful filters, emojis, and Bitmoji avatars, and it’s easy to see why kids are drawn to the app.
Children love Snapchat because it’s fun, creative, and social. It’s a way for them to stay connected with friends, share moments from their day, and express themselves. But as with any social media platform, there’s more beneath the surface that parents need to consider.
The Dangers of Snapchat for Young Children
Snapchat may seem like just another app, but it comes with a unique set of risks that can be particularly concerning for younger users. Here are some of the dangers associated with children using Snapchat:
The Illusion of Disappearing Messages
One of Snapchat’s main features is the ability to send “snaps” that disappear after they’ve been viewed. While this may seem like a fun and harmless feature, it can lead children to believe that their actions are temporary and without consequence. However, it’s important to understand that nothing on the internet truly disappears.
Screenshots can be taken, and there are third-party apps designed to save Snapchat content without the sender’s knowledge. This means that anything your child shares can potentially be saved and spread without their consent. This can lead to embarrassing situations, cyberbullying, or worse if sensitive or inappropriate content is shared.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content
Snapchat’s Discover feature allows users to view content from various publishers, influencers, and public accounts. While some of this content is harmless, a significant portion may not be suitable for young children. They can easily stumble upon videos, articles, or images that are explicit, violent, or otherwise inappropriate for their age group.
Additionally, because Snapchat has a more casual and fleeting nature, kids may feel less inhibited and more likely to share or engage with content that they wouldn’t normally interact with on other platforms.
Stranger Danger
Snapchat’s “Quick Add” feature suggests new friends based on your contacts and other factors. This can lead to your child being contacted by people they don’t know. While the app is designed to be a social network primarily for friends, it’s all too easy for strangers to send friend requests or messages.
There have been instances of predators using Snapchat to target young children by pretending to be someone their age or by engaging in grooming behaviours. Children are often unaware of these dangers and may unknowingly engage with someone who doesn’t have their best interests at heart.
Snap Map and Location Sharing
Snapchat’s Snap Map feature allows users to share their location in real time with friends on the app. While it might seem like a fun way for kids to see where their friends are, it also poses a significant safety risk. If not properly configured, your child’s location could be visible to people they don’t know well or even strangers.
This feature can expose your child to dangers such as stalking, unwanted meet-ups, or revealing personal information like where they live or go to school.
Cyberbullying
Like any social media platform, Snapchat is not immune to cyberbullying. The anonymity and fleeting nature of Snapchat messages can make it easier for kids to engage in bullying behavior without fear of consequences. For the victim, this can be incredibly distressing, as the bullying messages or images may disappear before they can be saved or reported.
The temporary nature of Snapchat can also make it difficult for parents or guardians to monitor what’s happening, meaning that bullying can go unnoticed for longer periods.
Pressure to Participate in Risky Behaviour
Snapchat’s popularity among young people often creates a “fear of missing out” (FOMO), which can pressure children into participating in risky or inappropriate behavior to fit in with their peers. This could include sharing personal information, sending inappropriate photos, or engaging in challenges that are unsafe.
Since snaps disappear, kids may feel like these behaviors are without consequence, which can lead to poor decision-making and dangerous situations.
Practical Tips for Keeping Your Child Safe on Snapchat
Given these potential dangers, it’s understandable that parents might feel anxious about their child using Snapchat. But there are steps you can take to help protect them. Here are some practical tips to keep your child safe while using Snapchat:
Set Up Privacy Settings Together
One of the first things you should do is go through the app’s privacy settings with your child. Make sure their account is set to private, so only people they know and trust can send them snaps or see their content. In the settings, you can also disable the Quick Add feature and limit who can contact your child.
Additionally, turn off location sharing on Snap Map or ensure it’s only shared with trusted friends. The safest option is to enable “Ghost Mode,” which hides your child’s location from everyone on Snapchat.
Educate About Online Safety
Have an open conversation with your child about the risks of using Snapchat and the internet in general. Make sure they understand the importance of not sharing personal information, like their full name, address, or school, and not accepting friend requests from people they don’t know in real life.
Explain that even though messages on Snapchat disappear, they can still be saved or shared, so they should think carefully before sending anything. Encourage them to come to you if they ever feel uncomfortable or receive inappropriate messages.
Monitor Their Activity
While it’s important to respect your child’s privacy, it’s equally important to monitor their online activity, especially if they’re very young. Regularly check in on how they’re using Snapchat, who they’re talking to, and what kind of content they’re viewing or sharing.
Consider using parental control apps or features that allow you to monitor your child’s Snapchat activity. While these tools aren’t foolproof, they can help you stay informed about what your child is doing online.
Set Usage Limits
To prevent overuse and potential addiction, set clear limits on how much time your child can spend on Snapchat each day. Encourage a healthy balance of screen time and offline activities like playing outside, reading, or spending time with family and friends.
You can also set “tech-free” times, such as during meals or before bed, to help your child develop healthy habits around technology use.
Encourage Open Communication
Make sure your child knows they can talk to you about anything they experience on Snapchat, whether it’s positive or negative. If they feel safe coming to you with concerns, you’ll be better able to protect them from potential dangers.
Let them know that they won’t get in trouble for reporting something inappropriate or scary, and that their safety is your top priority.
Conclusion
Snapchat can be a fun and creative way for kids to connect with friends, but it also comes with significant risks that parents need to be aware of. By understanding the dangers and taking proactive steps to protect your child, you can help them navigate the digital world safely.
Remember, the key to keeping your child safe on Snapchat—or any social media platform—is staying informed, setting clear boundaries, and fostering open communication. With the right approach, you can help your child enjoy the benefits of Snapchat while minimising the risks.
If you're keen to learn about how to set the app up safely, and work through the process step-by-step, then our 45 minute workshop below will provide you with a checklist to work through.
