Is it safe for children to use Snapchat? What is it used for exactly? Also, what’s the deal with Snapstreaks? Here’s all the information available for curious parents regarding this trending app.
Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps among teenagers and young adults. But how old do you have to be to join the millions of users who use Snapchat every day? Knowing the answer can help parents make sure their children are using the app responsibly.
According to Snapchat’s Terms of Service, all users must be at least 13 years old to use the Snapchat app. This means that anyone under the age of 13 is not allowed to create a Snapchat account. In addition, anyone under 18 must get permission from their parent or guardian before creating an account and making purchases on the app.
This is to remain compliant with COPPA (Child Online Privacy Protection Act.) If you are concerned about your child’s or teen’s safety on Snapchat but have decided to allow them to use it. Let’s look at the Snapchat settings that might help you keep your kids safe and your information private.
This post will explain everything you need to know about the age requirement for having a Snapchat account, including tips on how to keep your children safe while using this popular social media app. So get ready to learn all about Snapchat and what age you need to be to join in on the fun!
How Old Do You Have to be to Have Snapchat?
First of all, you need to be at least 13 years old in order to create an account on Snapchat. This is the same age requirement as Facebook, Instagram, and other popular social media apps. While it may seem like age restrictions are arbitrary, they exist in order to protect minors from predators and inappropriate content.
In addition to being at least 13 years old, users must also have permission from a parent or guardian if they are under 18. This permission must be given before they create an account and use Snapchat. If children under the age of 18 don’t get permission from their parents or guardians before using the app, their accounts will likely be deleted.
However, if you likely don’t meet this age requirement but still want access to Snapchat features like filters or lenses, you don’t need a full account.
You can use Snapchat’s camera feature without creating an account or logging in at all. All you need is your phone’s camera app, and you’ll be able to access some of the same features that other users do with an account.
Tips on How to Keep Your Child Safe While Using Snapchat
As parents, it’s important to stay informed and mindful of the safety risks that come with using Snapchat. With the help of these tips, you can make sure that your child’s Snapchat experience is both fun and secure.
- Be Educated on How to Use the Platform: Read up on the safety guidelines provided by Snapchat to get a better sense of how they protect users’ data and overall experience.
- Set Up Parental Controls: If you’re worried about your child’s exposure to inappropriate content, then take advantage of the parental controls available on Snapchat. You can set restrictions for content and users, customize who can see posts or messages, and even limit who can add your child as a friend.
- Talk to Your Child About Proper Use: Once you’ve educated yourself about Snapchat, sit down with your child and discuss the proper use of Snapchat and its features. Make sure they understand the importance of not sharing personal information or photos that could be used for malicious purposes by strangers or other users. Explain the potential dangers of online interactions such as cyberbullying or sexting.
- Monitor Your Child’s Activity: It’s essential that you monitor your child’s activity on Snapchat in order to protect them from any potential harm or danger. Ask questions about their activity and look at their recent posts periodically to make sure they are being safe while using the app.
- Keep an eye on your “friends” and block people you don’t know: Parental control over Snapchat ads and Snaps is robust. First, select My Friends from the cog-shaped Settings menu. Your child can only talk to approved app contacts by securing this setting.
- You can decide who can see a Snapchat story: Snap Stories are photos taken daily. Photos or videos are “snaps.” Manage access to this information from Settings. Use the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then Who Can, then, View My Story, then Custom to conceal your account from specific people.
- Take away the Quick Add button: Make yourself invisible on Snapchat. Disable the “Quickly Add” feature to safeguard your youngster from strangers by turning off “Show Me in Quick Add” in your profile’s Settings.
- Setting Location Privacy: Your children can connect with strangers who have a chance to be in the exact location as them if location services are enabled. To disable this, click Settings, go to “Who Can…”, then Off. Next, go to view My Location and enable Ghost Mode. Afterward, go to Settings, Manage, then Permissions and disable the location service.
Keeping your children safe while using Snapchat requires both education and supervision from parents. Educating yourself on the platform is a great way to start conversations with your kids about proper usage of Snapchat, as well as understanding its security features. Taking these steps will ensure a safe environment for them while using this popular platform.
Other Snapchat Features
Snapchat gives out trophies and rewards to its top users. Therefore, the more you use Snapchat, your score will get higher. Other functions of Snapchat include:
- Spotlight: Similar to TikTok, this function aggregates user-submitted photographs into a single stream. When you submit a Spotlight, it becomes visible to everyone, whether they are members of the platform.
- Sounds: Users can add music to their snapshots, just like in TikTok.
- Snap Games: Ad-supported voice and text chat co-op games that you can start in the conversation tab.
- Scan: This feature lets users find out what song is playing, find out what kind of dog it is, and get to other resources.
- Snap Store: An online store selling SnapChat-related merchandise.
- Memories: You can save photos to transmit later or see later if you don’t want them to vanish forever. Use the My Eyes Only feature to hide private Memories from watchful eyes.
- Geofilters: This feature is hidden behind locations and can only be accessed in person. Companies employ geo-filters to enhance brand awareness and check-ins. For example, guests at a sweet sixteen party may utilize a personalized geo-filter.
- Face lenses and world lenses: Face lenses give individuals cat ears and whiskers. A “world lens” can make rainbows and other AR effects look natural in photos. However, Snapchat lenses, called “overlays,” cost money.
- Cameos: Selfie GIFs are a fun way to express yourself in online conversations. Among the many available video filters on Snapchat is a “duets” filter, which allows you and a buddy to appear in the same video.
Is Snapchat Suitable for 11 Years Old?
Unfortunately, the minimum age for using the app is 13 years old. Thus, if your child has not yet reached that age, they cannot sign up for Snapchat.
Key Takeaways
- Snapchat has a minimum age requirement of 13 years old.
- Anyone under the age of 18 must get permission from a parent or guardian before creating an account and making purchases.
- Parents can set up parental controls to restrict content and users, as well as limit who can add their child as a friend.
- Educating yourself on the platform is essential for creating conversations with your children about proper usage and safety.