Snapchat safety guide for parents
Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send and receive photos and videos, called "Snaps," that disappear after a…
Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send and receive photos and videos, called "Snaps," that disappear after a short period of time. While it can be a fun and useful way for kids to communicate with their friends, it's important for parents to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to ensure their child's safety on the app. In this guide, we'll provide some tips for parents on how to secure Snapchat for their children.
Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your child's Snapchat account by requiring them to enter a code that is sent to their phone or email in addition to their password when logging in. This helps to prevent someone from accessing their account if they obtain their password. To set up 2FA on Snapchat, have your child go to the settings menu in their app, select "Two-Factor Authentication," and follow the prompts to enable this feature.
Use a Strong Password: Encourage your child to use a strong, unique password for their Snapchat account. This should be a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters that is not used for any other accounts. It's also a good idea to use a password manager to help your child keep track of their various passwords and ensure that they are using strong ones.
Enable Ghost Mode: Ghost Mode is a feature on Snapchat that allows users to control who can see their location on the map. Encourage your child to enable Ghost Mode so that their location is not visible to other users on the app. To do this, have your child go to the settings menu in their app, select "Ghost Mode," and toggle it on.
Review Privacy Settings: Review the privacy settings on your child's Snapchat account with them to ensure that they are only sharing their information with people they trust. In the settings menu, they can control who can see their Snaps, who can send them Snaps, and who can see their location on the map.
Use Caution When Adding Friends: Encourage your child to be selective about who they add as friends on Snapchat. Remind them that anyone they add will be able to see their Snaps and location, so it's important to only add people they know and trust.
Be Careful What You Share: Remind your child to be mindful of what they share on Snapchat. Encourage them to think before sending any sensitive or personal information, and remind them that once a Snap is sent, they have no control over where it ends up.
Use Parental Controls: Many devices, including smartphones and tablets, have built-in parental controls that allow you to set limits on your child's use of apps like Snapchat. These controls can be used to restrict the amount of time your child spends on the app, block certain content, or prevent your child from downloading new apps without your permission.
Educate Your Child About Online Safety: It's important to have ongoing conversations with your child about online safety and the risks associated with sharing personal information on the internet. Remind them to be careful what they share on Snapchat and other social media apps, and to always think before they post.
Use a Monitoring App: If you're concerned about your child's activity on Snapchat, you may want to consider using a monitoring app. These apps allow you to see your child's activity on Snapchat and other social media apps and can alert you if they are engaging in risky behaviour.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open: Finally, it's important to keep the lines of communication open with your child and have ongoing conversations about their use of Snapchat and other social media apps. Make sure they know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns they have and that you are there to support them.
