The Snapchat app lets you send photos, short videos or messages to your friends. Pictures and videos, known as 'Snaps', usually appear temporarily before disappearing, though they can be captured via screenshots.
Official age rating
Show your child how to turn on 'ghost-mode' in the app settings to hide their location from other users.
Sitting down with your child and exploring their favourite app or game is a great way for you to learn more about what they like to do online.
You can ask them why they like to use an app or play certain games, as well as who they’re talking to and what sorts of things they’re sharing.
You can also read our Net Aware reviews for tips on how to keep kids safe on popular apps, sites and games.
It’s important to check the privacy settings on your child’s Snapchat account to make sure what they’re posting is kept private or shared only with friends.
We recommend only sharing things with friends and always keeping your location private.
You can visit Snapchat Support for specific information on privacy settings.
Your child might receive upsetting or negative things from other users on Snapchat. If this happens, they might want to report or block them.
Snapchat Support has specific guidance on how to remove and block friends.
And remember to let your child know that they can always talk to you about worrying things they see online.
‘Stories’ is Snapchat’s most popular feature and encourages you to share images and videos know as ‘Snaps’ with people who follow you. These ‘Snaps’ are uploaded in a sequence and stay on your account for 24 hours.
You should help your child think about what they’re sharing on the app and who sees it. Compare it to what they would be happy to share offline. Use examples that are easy for them to understand: “You shouldn’t give your number to somebody you don't know on the street. Is somebody online you don't know any different?”
Listen to their answers. And be positive and encouraging.
Remind them that they shouldn’t share private things, such as:
• personal information, like names, other social media accounts or phone numbers
• other people's personal information
• links to join private group chats
• photos of themselves
• photos of their body, such as sexual photos or videos
Remind them that they should only be sharing ‘Snaps’ with people they know and that if anyone private messages them or suggests talking on another messaging platform they should come and tell you.
Explain that you understand the internet is a great place to play, create, learn and connect. But remind them they can talk to you if anything upsets or worries them.
Reassure them that you won’t overreact – you’re just looking out for them.
It’s important to remind your child that they can talk you, another adult they trust, like a teacher, or Childline about anything they see online.
Having open, regular conversations with your child will help you to really understand and explore the online world together. Our tips and advice can help you start these conversations.
Talk about staying safe onlineWe've spoken to over 2,000 parents and kids to find out what they think.
What do children and young people dislike about Snapchat?
Anyone could screenshot photos you put on your story on the app or anyone can message you.
Girl, 16
What do children and young people like about Snapchat?
You can get in contact with your friends easily and send funny pics and vids.
Girl, 13
We asked parents about the following areas of Snapchat:
Reporting and blocking
Overall, parents thought it was easy to report unsuitable content or behaviour and block people from contacting you.
I was able to block a user easily by clicking on the person and pressing block.
Mum of 4 and 13 year olds
Privacy settings
Most parents thought it was easy to change the settings so your profile, account and location are private.
Once you find where these settings are it's easy to do, but it was quite difficult to find the right settings.
Mum of 13 and 16 year old boys
Safety and support
It’s very easy to find out about the safety of the app.
Mum of 7 and 10 year olds
Signing up
It’s good that both email and phone are verified.
Mum of a 12 year old
Very easy to do, anyone of any age could do it.
Mum of a 17 year old
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