Snapchat
Our age is 17. Take care because of disappearing messages, Snap Map location sharing and streak pressure.
Checked October 2026.
- Our rating
- High Risk
- Chat
- Snaps, text, voice and video chat. Teens can only be contacted by friends and phone contacts.
- Spending
- Snapchat+ at $4.99 a month, extra Memories storage and streak restores, bought in the app
- Parent controls
- Family Center, linked from your own Snapchat account
- Plays on
- iOS, Android
- Users
- 950M+
- Setup
- 8 stops, about 10 minutes
Do these three first
- Invite your teenSettings (⚙️)App & PrivacyFamily CenterInviteYour teen can see that you've joined their Family Center, and which settings you can see.
- Turn on content controlsSettings (⚙️)App & PrivacyFamily CenterSettingsLimit sensitive content and turn off My AI from Family Center.
- Turn on Ghost Mode on Snap MapSnap MapSettings (⚙️)Ghost ModeGhost Mode is the simplest choice for most teens.
Why we say take care
Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app where photos and videos ("snaps") disappear after being viewed. It also features Stories (24-hour content), a Discover section with publisher content, Snap Map showing friend locations in real-time, and a built-in AI chatbot called "My AI."
- Disappearing MessagesContent that vanishes encourages sharing of inappropriate material, including sexting, because users believe it won't be saved.
- Location SharingLocation sharing is off by default, but once turned on, Snap Map shows real-time location to the friends they choose, which can expose their whereabouts to people they don't really know.
- My AI ChatbotThe AI can discuss mature topics and may provide inappropriate advice to minors.
- Discover ContentPublisher content includes articles and videos with mature themes, clickbait, and inappropriate material.
- Screenshot IllusionUsers are notified of screenshots, but third-party apps can capture content without detection.
- Streaks CultureDaily messaging "streaks" create compulsive use patterns and social pressure.
Talk about it
- Do you know that 'disappearing' snaps can actually be saved? How does that change what you'd send?Challenges the illusion of temporary content.
- Who can see your location on Snap Map?Directly addresses location safety.
- Have you used My AI? What kinds of things have you asked it?Opens discussion about AI interactions.
- What would you do if someone pressured you to send a certain kind of snap?Prepares them for peer pressure situations.
The full route: 8 stops, about 10 minutes
- Open Family Center
- Invite your teen
- See their friends and chats
- Turn on content controls
- Review privacy settings together
- Turn on Ghost Mode on Snap Map
- Learn how to report concerns
- Check that Family Center is working
Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.
The complete Snapchat parent guide, with age-by-age settings, is part of the Family plan.
The full guide
Snapchat is one of the most popular apps among teens, known for disappearing messages and filters. While this can seem fun, it creates unique safety challenges that require careful parental attention.
Snapchat's core feature—messages that disappear—can give teens a false sense of privacy and enable risky behavior. Screenshots are still possible.
Understanding Snapchat
Key Features
- Snaps: Photos/videos that disappear after viewing
- Stories: Posts visible to friends for 24 hours
- Chat: Text messages (can be set to delete)
- Snap Map: Shows location to friends
- Spotlight: TikTok-like public video feed
- Discover: Content from publishers and creators
Why Teens Use It
- Communicating with friends
- Sharing daily moments
- Filters and AR effects
- Group chats
- Snap streaks (consecutive days of messaging)
Family Center Setup
Snapchat's Family Center lets parents see who their teen is connected with and manage a few key settings.
Enabling Family Center
Both Download Snapchat
You and your teen both need Snapchat accounts. Add each other as friends first.
Send Invitation
In your Snapchat:
You can also search "family" in the app. Tap "Invite" and select your teen.
Teen Accepts
Your teen receives a notification and must accept to enable Family Center.
What Parents Can See
- Who your teen has messaged in the last 7 days
- Their friend list, new friends, and how they likely know each one
- Average time spent on Snapchat, broken down by feature
- Privacy and safety settings
- Their location, if you both choose to share locations
What Parents Can Do
- See their friends (not message content)
- View who they've communicated with (not content)
- Restrict sensitive content in Stories and Spotlight
- Turn off their teen's access to My AI
- Report accounts on their behalf
- Get notified if teen reports someone
What Parents CANNOT See
- Message content
- Photos/videos sent or received
- Their location, unless they agree to share it with you
- Stories they view
Your teen knows you can see their friend list and who they've been chatting with. This is intentional: Snapchat designed Family Center to be open with teens.
Privacy Settings
Friends Only
The choices are "Friends" and "Friends and Contacts"; the "Everyone" option is gone except for Creator and business accounts. Set it to "Friends." (Older app versions list these settings under Privacy Controls.)
Who Can View Stories
Options:
- My Friends (recommended, and the default)
- Custom (select specific people)
Who Can See Location
Location sharing is off by default and can only go to accepted friends. For Snap Map:
- Ghost Mode: No one sees location
- My Friends: All friends see
- Only These Friends: Choose specific people
If turned on, Snap Map shows real-time location to friends. Keep Ghost Mode on or carefully limit who can see, and remember a "friend" may not be who they say they are.
Find Friends (formerly Quick Add)
Turn off to stop appearing in friend suggestions. Teens already only show up for people with enough mutual friends.
Account Security
Two-Factor Authentication
Enable via SMS or authentication app.
Signed-In Devices
Remove devices you don't recognize. Snapchat's Session Management Center also shows every device and browser signed in.
Recovery Options
Ensure recovery email and phone are parent-accessible.
Snap Map Safety
Ghost Mode
When enabled:
- Your teen's location is hidden from everyone
- They can still see others' locations
This is the safest option.
Location Risks
Even with friends only:
- Friends can screenshot location
- Precise location can reveal home/school
- "Friends" might not be who they claim
Best Practice
Enable Ghost Mode and keep it on. There's rarely a legitimate reason for teens to broadcast location.
Disappearing Messages
The False Sense of Privacy
While messages disappear:
- Recipients can screenshot (sender gets notified)
- Screen recording is possible
- Third-party apps can save content
- Snapchat saves some data
Chat Settings
This is set separately for each conversation, and either person can change it:
- After Viewing
- 24 Hours After Viewing
- Keep chats until someone deletes them
None of these is truly private.
Discuss with Your Teen
- Nothing online is truly private
- Screenshots happen
- What you send can be shared
- If you wouldn't want parents/teachers to see it, don't send it
My AI
Snapchat includes an AI chatbot called "My AI."
Concerns
- Conversations can be personal
- AI responses aren't always appropriate
- Data collection implications
- Can feel like a "friend"
Limiting My AI
Through Family Center, you can stop My AI from responding to your teen's chats:
Also discuss appropriate AI use with your teen.
Spotlight and Discover
Spotlight
- Public video feed (like TikTok)
- Algorithm-driven content
- Can include mature themes
Discover
- Content from publishers and creators
- Includes news, entertainment, influencers
- Not all age-appropriate
Limiting Exposure
You can't disable these feeds entirely, but Family Center lets you restrict sensitive content in Stories and Spotlight:
This filter doesn't cover Chat, Snaps or Search. Also:
- Discuss what they see
- Talk about content quality
- Check the time-spent breakdown in Family Center
Snap Streaks
What Are Streaks?
A number showing consecutive days two people have snapped each other. Teens often feel obligated to maintain streaks.
Streak Problems
- Pressure to snap daily
- Anxiety if streak might break
- Sending meaningless snaps just for streaks
- Social status tied to streak numbers
Healthy Perspective
Discuss that:
- Streaks aren't that important
- Missing a day is okay
- Quality communication matters more
- Don't snap just for numbers
Signs of Concerning Behavior
Watch For
- Hiding phone when you approach
- Receiving notifications at odd hours
- New "friends" you don't know
- Mood changes related to Snapchat
- Obsession with streaks
- Secretive about conversations
Red Flags
- Contact from unknown adults
- Requests for photos
- Pressure to meet in person
- Gifts from online contacts
- Conversations moving to other platforms
Reporting and Blocking
Block Someone
Report Abuse
Choose reason and submit. Snapchat reviews reports.
Emergency Resources
Snapchat provides in-app resources for safety concerns and mental health.
Age-Based Recommendations
We suggest Snapchat for 17 and up. If your child is already on it younger, these are the settings to tighten for their age.
Ages 13-14
- Family Center enabled
- Ghost Mode ON
- Friends Only for everything
- Find Friends (Quick Add) off
- Regular check-ins
- Discuss disappearing message risks
- Look over the friend list together
Ages 15-16
- Family Center enabled
- Ghost Mode ON or very limited
- Friends Only settings
- Ongoing conversations about safety
- Know their close friends
- Discuss healthy streak habits
Ages 17+
- Family Center (with consent)
- Trust-based check-ins
- Continue safety conversations
- Gradual independence
Quick Setup Checklist
Additional Resources
Snapchat's Family Center and privacy settings are configured. Remember that the disappearing nature of content means ongoing conversations are essential.
Snapchat is also on our apps to watch list.