Snapchat Content Guide

Content Levels	Low	Moderate	High	N/A	Notes
Drug/Alcohol Content/Posts/Imagery					There are some “news” stories in the Discovery section that discuss marijuana.
Eating Disorder Topics/Content/Posts/Discussion/Imagery
Graphic Content (images of death, car crashes etc.)
Mental Health Content
Nudity					Nudity is not part of Snapchats content. As with any messaging platform, users may choose to send nude content to each other or on a “story”.
Self-Injury Content
Sexualized Topics/Content/Posts/Imagery					Sexual “Publisher Stories” can be found in the Discovery section. Search the word “sex” in the Discover section.
Suicide Topics/Content/Posts/Discussion
Vaping Topics/Content/Posts/Imagery					There are some “news” stories in the Discovery section that discuss vaping.
Violence

I don’t like the term “dangerous apps.” Apps are not inherently dangerous. What I like to focus on is the behaviors on the apps and how we can teach responsible behaviors on any digital platform.  While Snapchat has a deceptive feel to it due to the disappearing messaging function, the messages/pictures/videos are not always inappropriate. Setting expectations and discussing behaviors for using the app is very important as a parent. Snapchat itself isn’t dangerous,  but a youth posting risky content could turn into a dangerous situation.

If they have not been exposed to sexualized content, drugs and mental health topics before Snapchat, there is a high potential for them to be exposed after they create a Snapchat account. If you have had prevention discussions around these topics, then you could feel more comfortable letting your 13-year-old use Snapchat.

Discuss help seeking strategies with your youth, such as what do to if they would see someone posting about mental health issues, depression, self-harm or suicide. Teach them to use the reporting functions built into Snapchat and to keep an open line of communication with you as the parent. Teach them how to report and block users that post inappropriate content or who are bullying your child.

There are “Publishers’ Stories” about sex available. You should be prepared for your kids to see these as it’s easy to stumble upon and kids are curious about sex at that age. Talk to your children about not posting sexual or provocative content. Teach them about self-esteem based upon the content of their character, not the appearance of their body.  As of today, a search of the word “sex” in the Discover section resulted in these Publishers’ Stories: “Your Biggest Sex Questions Answered” (Teen Vogue), “We Asked Sex Workers About Their First Days on the Job” (Vice), and “7 Hookup Secrets Sex Therapists Want You to Know” (Cosmopolitan).

Adult Snapchat accounts can be accessed through a purchase. As of this writing you can search “WatchMyFeed” and find accounts that will, for a fee, allow you access to sexually explicit Snapchat accounts. The fees are monthly and some are available for purchase for a year. Fees range from $14-$60 a month and around $99 for a year’s access.

Be aware of multiple accounts as well. Youth will sometimes have a well-curated appropriate account that you know of, but will also other accounts where questionable behaviors will occur.

Snapchat Safety Tips:

My #1 recommendation: If you are going to let your child have an Snapchat account, you should have an account as well so that you can effectively educate them on how to use it responsibly.

Here are some other suggestions.

• Do not use full names as usernames.
• Set the account to private.
• Here is how to set the privacy settings.
• Only accept followers of people they know in person.
• Remove any unknown followers that they currently have.
• Do not post personal information such as drivers license, school ID’s, state ID’s, phone numbers, birth certificates, school schedules and other identifying information.
• Turn off location services.
• Use the reporting system when they see inappropriate content.
• Here is how to report content.
• Talk to a parent if they see a concerning post from a friend (mental health, bullying, inappropriate posts).
• Report bullying both through Snapchat’s reporting function and to a parent.
• Save screenshots of bullying behaviors.
• Block bullies.
• Stick with the age restrictions.
• Remind youth that even though an account is private, privacy isn’t guaranteed. Once a post is shared, it is totally out of the users’ control.
• A digital reputation begins the moment an account is opened. What they post now could affect them later in life.
• I would not recommend children less than 13 use Snapchat, even though the current app rating is 12+.

~ Ryan