Snapchat

[sparrowflewdown]

My nearly 13 year old DS is keen to have this App. I am not going to let him, but I am not sure why?

Whatsapp has disappearing messages, people could potentially upload inappropriate photos/videos, someone's, friend's uncle could get hold of their number etc so what's the difference?

Also if anyone has any great reasons I could fire back at him tonight that would be great!

He has watched the Social Dilemma with me and he did take an interest. It has made him understand why it is important to come off his phone.

The NSPCC's article on it is fairly useful Is Snapchat safe for my child? | NSPCC

@xmasdealhunter Thanks I will have a look.

Anyone managed to get through the Snapchat & tiktok years with no problems?

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-mums-horror-daughter-eight-31082456

I know the girl in this article is only 8, which is a lot younger than your DS but it's an absolutely horrible example of the potential damaging misuse of Snapchat.
It's extremely upsetting that children so young are being exposed to the dangers of Social media.

That is awful @Showmethewaytogo but couldn't this happen on WhatsApp too?

I could be wrong as I haven’t used Snapchat in years, but it might be easier for people to gain your number from Snapchat. Perhaps you can see another persons friends or group chats or something. I’m just thinking in that Edinburgh news story how did he get all there details and trying to remember how it worked.

Snapchat is more fun with all the filters but also just picture focused. Personally I think if just used properly and safely with friends etc it would be ok and no worse than WhatsApp. Both are prime targets for possible bullying. However, I think because of being picture/video focused there is possibly more risk of over sharing.

There also used to be a feature where you could have your location sharing all the time on Snapchat which is a bit risky.

It’s the only app my teen and her friends use to talk. Just be mindful that he only adds his friends.

OK, thanks @Squiggles23 & @CuteEasterBunny it does seem to be the way they all communicate. I have already had conversations around sending inappropriate videos on WhatsApp but I find it hard to see the difference between the two if location sharing is off.

As far as I'm aware Snapchat is considered the app most unsafe for children and adolescents.
There is plenty of coverage online of the well known dangers of Smapchat.

Isn't Instagram damaging in a different way algorithms sending DC more extreme material etc. I suppose I cannot shelter DS from all social media and think Snapchat might actually be the lesser of all evils?!

I don’t think Snapchat would be as addictive as Instagram/TikTok.

I wouldn’t be that concerned about a 13 year old boy on Snapchat assuming you live in a fairly nice area/he has fairly nice friends/he’s not at high risk of gangs or bullying.

It’s entirely up to you though but yes I would think similar to WhatsApp really. You can post stories for all your friends to see and send stuff direct. Maybe you could do a trial where he creates and you can view with him for a while?

WhatsApp can be set that nothing is ever deleted. Unless you save every chat the longest any message is visible is 24 hours on Snapchat, which is the default setting but it can be changed by either person to immediately after viewing. Direct taken images and video disappear after viewing unless they are saved. Uploaded images and video disappear after a max of 24 hours. You do not need to have a phone number attached to Snapchat at all, just an email address. It is not safe for children unless they have it fully locked down and do not accept or request any quick adds.

Most parents don't have a clue about Snapchat and imo why would you allow a child to use anything you don't use and are 100% sure of how it works. That news story about the primary school children in Edinburgh is shocking but not surprising. Those children were not supervised to be in that position in the first place.

Looks at smartphone free child hood. There is awful stats on snapchat. Addiction on it is the worst.