Snapchat is one of the most popular messaging apps, especially in the United States. It’s packed with exciting features like Bitmoji, Snaps, and camera filters that make it super fun.
Unlike most other platforms where your posts stick around forever, Snapchat is unique because everything is temporary. Messages, photos, videos, they’re all designed to vanish after a short period of time. Sure, other platforms have adopted a lot of its features over the years, but Snapchat’s user base is still growing.
With all the exciting features, and a primary user base of young people, it’s natural to wonder if Snapchat is really safe. And if you’re a parent, that question probably takes on an even bigger meaning.
Is Snapchat Safe?
Just like most mainstream social media and messaging platforms, Snapchat is essentially safe. The developers have put in privacy and security measures to keep the user data protected. However, a lot of it boils down to how the platform is used. Some features such as Snaps may be more secure than text based messages. Then there is Ghost mode that lets you stop sharing your location on the Snap map. The app has a lot of safety features, but it’s up to you how much of it you want to utilise.
How Secure Are Snaps?
So, how secure are those Snaps you’re sending? Well, all your chats on Snapchat are private, but when it comes to Snaps, those quick photos and videos that disappear after you send them, they’re designed to be there for a limited time or can even be set to view once, they’re already a bit safer by nature. But for added safety, they are also end-to-end encrypted.
In Snapchat’s context, End-to-end encryption (E2EE) means that your photos and videos sent as Snaps are scrambled in a way that only you and the person you sent them to can see them. With this extra layer of encryption, even if someone manages to intercept it, they cannot decode your Snaps. Which means even Snapchat can’t see your Snaps.
Is Snapchat Safe for Sending Private Pictures?
If you’re planning to send private pictures on Snapchat, your best bet is to send them as Snaps. Since they’re only available for a short time, and you can set them to be viewable just once, it adds a layer of security. Plus, with Snaps being end-to-end encrypted, it’s almost impossible for anyone else to peek at what you’ve sent. And there’s more, if the person you sent the Snap to tries to take a screenshot, Snapchat will automatically notify you. With all these features combined, Snapchat does a pretty good job at keeping your private pictures just that, private.
Is My AI Safe?
My AI is one of Snapchat’s newest features, and it’s essentially an AI chatbot that tries to be your friend. Snapchat says My AI is designed with safety in mind, but there have been a few reports of it saying some pretty questionable things to minors. We’re talking advice on hiding the smell of booze and pot, and even about having sex with a predator. Yikes, right?
Here’s the thing, My AI is still experimental and is supposed to get better over time. According to Snapchat, they integrate the same safeguards and tools used across Snapchat. Which means blocking results for drug keywords and slangs. But, like most text-based generative AI, it has its limitations. So, it’s best to take what it says with a grain of salt and always be cautious when using it.
Is Snapchat Safe for Kids?
Snapchat is a huge hit with young people, but is it really safe for kids? While they say you need to be at least 13 years old to sign up for Snapchat, there’s no proper age verification process in place. This means that kids who are younger than 13, can easily fake their age and start using the app, which is definitely something for parents to keep an eye on.
Snapchat’s main user base is between the ages of 13 and 24 years old, making it an easy target for online predators. Now, Snapchat isn’t completely ignoring the safety of younger users. They’ve put in some restrictions that make it harder for adults to find and connect with kids under 17. But again, without age verification, a lot of these features can be worthless, giving parents valid reasons for concern.
Common Sense Media, a non-profit that rates media and suggests if they are appropriate for children, recommend that kids be at least 16 before using Snapchat. They say that the app’s marketing tactics, quizzes, and data collection methods might be too much for younger teens.
So with all this valid concern, you must be wondering if you should let your child be on Snapchat. Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While there are some protections in place, the lack of strict age verification and the app’s focus on a young audience means parents should definitely be cautious. Even if you let them use Snapchat, the best approach is to keep an eye on your child’s activities and make sure to have open conversations about how to stay safe online.
How to Keep Your Kid Safe on Snapchat?
Now, you can be a bit strict and not let your kid use Snapchat, or you can be a nosy one and monitor their every activity. But let’s be real, nothing can replace good old-fashioned communication. It’s always a good idea to have a talk with your kids about staying safe online.
First off, remind them to only accept friend requests from people they know in real life. If there’s a random username sending them a friend request, it’s probably best to just ignore it. Speaking of usernames, make sure your teen picks one that doesn’t give away too many details about them. They may want to add their birth year, last names, location, but it’s much safer to keep that info out of their username.
Snapchat has some safety features in place, like Ghost mode. It turns off location sharing on the Snap Map. If your teen wants to turn it on, make sure they’re only sharing their location with trusted friends and family. And when it comes to safety and well-being, no question is off-limits. Encourage your teen to speak up if they ever feel uncomfortable or if something doesn’t seem right.
Lastly, it’s crucial to talk about the risks of sharing private or sensitive images and information online, even with people they trust. The internet can be a tricky place, and once something’s out there, it’s hard to take it back.
Now, after making your child aware about internet safety, it can still be a good idea to monitor your child’s activities on Snapchat. While you may not see their messages or snaps, you can see who they are talking to or when they’re online and so on.
How Can Parents Monitor and Control Snapchat Usage?
If you feel like it’s a good idea to keep tabs on your kid’s Snapchat, then you can try using Family Center, Snapchat’s parental control feature. Family Center gives parents a peek into who their teens are chatting with on the app, all while respecting their privacy and boundaries.
With Family Center, you can check out your kid’s privacy settings, see who they’re talking to without actually seeing the content of the conversations, restrict certain stories and creators that may not be appropriate for your kids to see, and manage parental controls for My AI. If something seems off, you can report directly to Snapchat’s Trust and Safety team.
How to Set Up Family Center on Snapchat?
Getting Family Center set up is pretty straightforward, but there are a few steps involved. Let’s go through this step by step.
- Download the Snapchat app on your phone and create a Snapchat account.
- Add your teen as a friend on Snapchat.
- Wait for your kid to accept your friend request.
- Go to your settings and find the Family Center option.
- Tap on Family Center and invite your kid to join.
- Have your child accept the invite to complete the setup.
Now you can keep an eye on things, restrict inappropriate content, and manage parental controls while still giving your teen some room to breathe.
How to Keep Your Snapchat Account Safe?
Let’s talk about keeping you safe on Snapchat. First off, even though it’s a no-brainer, never ever share your password with anyone, not even Snapchat themselves. A real Snapchat representative will never ask for your password, so if someone’s asking, it’s a huge red flag. Keep it to yourself, and you’ll be a step ahead in the game.
Speaking of security, it’s always a good idea to check your privacy settings now and then. You can decide who gets to send you Snaps, who can see your Stories, and who can spot you on the Snap Map. It’s basically like setting up a security system for your house. And while you’re at it, make sure your password is strong. A good one is at least 8 characters long and throws in a mix of numbers, symbols, and different cases. You could use a password manager like Bitwarden or LastPass to generate and save complicated passwords. And just steer clear of anything too obvious, like your name or birthday.
To add an extra layer of protection, consider setting up two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s a fancy way of saying that Snapchat will double-check it’s really you when you log in. You can set this up right in the app, it’s easy, and it makes your account a whole lot safer. Moreover, Snapchat uses end-to-end encryption to protect your Snaps however most other interactions in the app do not maintain the same standard of encryption, so it may be a good idea to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), like Nord VPN or Express VPN, to keep your interactions from prying eyes, especially when you are using a public Wi-Fi.
Now, remember Snapchat is really for keeping up with friends, so it’s best to only add people you actually know. If someone’s making you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to block and report.
And finally, a quick word on privacy. Customise who can see your location on the Snap Map, and who can view your Stories. If you ever want to disappear from the Snap map, just turn on Ghost Mode. But don’t forget, Snaps might be designed to disappear, but screenshots are forever. And there are workarounds to bypass the screenshot protection measures of the app. So, think twice before you share something you wouldn’t want getting around.
Frequently Asked Questions About Snapchat
Can Snapchat leak my photos?
No, Snapchat cannot leak or even see the images or Snaps you share in your chat because of end-to-end encryption. However, that doesn’t mean your images cannot be leaked, as there have been many reports over the years of massive leak of Snapchat photos and videos. While Snaps aren’t meant to be saved or screenshotted, many use third-party apps to do so, and those apps do not maintain the same security standards as Snapchat, making your photos vulnerable to a leak.
Is Snapchat safer than Instagram?
Yes, Snapchat is built around privacy in mind. While Instagram has adopted a lot of features from Snapchat over the years, Snapchat still remains the most popular app for sending limited-time, view-once content. However, it should be noted that both Snap Inc, and Meta make their money through advertising. Which means, they both collect your data to show you personalised ads. Moreover, while both of these platforms have protection in place to prevent showing inappropriate contents to kids, they often do end up on their feed because no social media platform is 100% safe.
Can Snapchat see My Eyes Only?
No, Snapchat cannot see your stories and snaps saved in My Eyes Only. It is encrypted and can only be opened by the passcode of your choosing. Which means, even if someone manages to hack into your Snapchat account, they are going to have a hard time excessive your My Eyes Only. Moreover, if you forget that passcode, even Snapchat cannot help you recover it.
Can you see who stalks your location on Snapchat?
No, Snapchat does not let you know who exactly is seeing your location. However, there are privacy settings that will allow you to limit who can see it. Moreover, you can enable Ghost mode, to remove yourself from Snap map, so your friends can not see where you are at all times.
Wrapping Up
Snap Inc., originally Snapchat Inc. started in 2011 with the idea of an app that can send disappearing messages, Picaboo. Later that year, it was renamed to Snapchat. Snapchat was built around that idea of disappearing messaging, which made it a privacy focused app. However, in 2014, the company experienced a massive data breach affecting, approximately 4.6 million users.
While Snapchat has improved its security over the years, both of their server side and for individual years, once thing all internet users must understand is that no social media, online service, apps are 100% safe, so it is up to the user, how much of their data they should give out in the first place.
With all that being said, Snapchat is a fun platform for young people, and it has kept privacy in the front seat. So take necessary precautions when you’re using the app and beware of what you’re sending, and you should be safe.
To read more about the safety of other popular messaging apps, check out our articles on WhatsApp and Telegram. These articles explore the security measures, potential risks, and best practices to help you stay safe while using these platforms.