Is Snapchat Better Than Texting or Social Platforms? How Kids Use Snapchat

Snapchat has become a ubiquitous part of teen culture. But is Snapchat better than texting for kids? Features like location sharing and vanishing messages have led to growing safety concerns among parents. This article will dig into how kids use Snapchat, its risks, and what parents can do to keep their kids safe.  

How kids use Snapchat

Here’s what you need to know about the role this messaging app plays in kids’ lives: 

Snapchat and the social scene

Snapchat is so embedded in the social fabric of today’s teens that it’s the main way many kids communicate with friends. These are the ways teens socialize on the app: 

• Snaps: Snaps are pictures or videos that users post that are sent to all of their followers.
• Chats: In the chat feature, users can send text, photo, or video messages to individuals or groups.
• Video chat: Users can video chat with up to 15 friends at once. 

Peer pressure and FOMO

The visual nature of Snapchat makes it particularly likely to create extra pressure to keep up with peers. Kids have near-constant access to what their friends are doing and who they’re spending their time with, particularly because users are incentivized to share as often as possible on the platform. 

Real-time updates foster a fear of missing out (FOMO) — if your child sees their friends hanging out together without them or going to exciting places on the weekends, they may fall into a comparison trap. 

Snapstreaks and Snap Scores

When users Snap with each other at least once a day, they’re awarded a Snapstreak. Their overall engagement with the app is quantified by a number at the top of their profile known as a Snap Score. The social validation of maintaining Snapstreaks and Snap Scores can pressure kids to use the app more often — which is exactly the point of addictive, gamified features. 

Snapchat features parents should know

These features make Snapchat especially problematic for kids and difficult for parents to monitor:

Vanishing messages

Snapchat messages are designed to disappear as soon as all recipients view it, leaving no trail for parents who want to review their child’s online communication.

Stories 

Stories let a Snapchatter share something with all their followers at once. Because stories are public, it’s important to talk to your kids about what’s okay to share online and help them set their privacy controls in the app to limit who can see and respond to their posts. 

Discover

The Discover section displays content that’s been curated for the user. The primary function is to keep users scrolling — a potentially addictive feature. And because the algorithm analyzes a user’s behavior on the app to serve them content, viewing a few harmful Snaps like content promoting disordered eating could lead to a vicious cycle. 

Snap Map

Snap Map allows Snapchatters to share their physical location, updated in real time. This feature allows you to see where your child is, but it also poses privacy and safety risks by broadcasting their whereabouts to a wide audience. (If you’re interested in location sharing, this feature is freely available with Apple Find My and Google Family Link.)

Lenses

Lenses are filters that let users change their faces and the world around them. While many are pure fun, like turning yourself into a dancing turkey, “beauty” Lenses that do things like smooth skin, slim faces, or add a tan may also contribute to unrealistic beauty standards and body image issues. 

Snapchat risks and concerns

Here are the top Snapchat risk parents should be aware of: 

• Privacy and security. Real-time location sharing creates privacy and security concerns.
• Cyberbullying. All social media has the potential for cyberbullying, but when Snaps disappear, the evidence disappears, too, making it harder to address the problem. 
• Drugs. Drug dealers have started operating on Snapchat. They can arrange sales through conveniently vanishing messages and deliver the goods to your child’s doorstep like a pizza. This can lead to tragic consequences. Take the case of Sammy Chapman: at 16, he made contact with a dealer on Snapchat. The drugs he received were laced with fentanyl, causing Sammy to die of an overdose. 

What parents can do

Here’s what parents can do to minimize the risks of Snapchat for their child:

Delay giving kids access to Snapchat

While Snapchat allows users as young as 13, it’s a good idea to wait longer. Common Sense Media rates it as appropriate for 16+ (and we agree!).

Use safety settings and location privacy

Turn off your child’s location and maximize their privacy settings. Use Snapchat’s Family Center to see who your teens are communicating with and set content controls. 

Teach them how to use social media responsibly

Talk to your kids about safe social media use, including what’s okay to share online. Remind them that anything can be saved and shared, and if anything or anyone makes them feel uncomfortable, they can always bring it to you (or another trusted adult).  

Maintain open communication

Talk to your kids about how they’re using Snapchat. Sit down with them for regular safety check-ins and make it clear they should come to you with any problems, and you’ll support them through it. 

Final word

Because of vanishing messages and location features, Snapchat is difficult for parents to monitor, and therefore more problematic than other social media and texting platforms. At BrightCanary, we’re committed to providing tools to keep your child safe online. That’s why we’re working toward a solution that lets you better monitor your child on Snapchat. Keep an eye on this space for an announcement and, in the meantime, download the app today to start monitoring your child’s text messages and on YouTube, Google, Instagram, and TikTok!