Snapchat has unveiled a series of robust measures aimed at safeguarding teenagers on its platform. These comprehensive steps include shielding children from unfamiliar individuals, enhancing the appropriateness of content, and implementing an advanced strike system empowered by detection technologies to identify creators of inappropriate material.
To further bolster safety, Snapchat is launching a dedicated Parents.snapchat.com website. This resource hub equips parents with valuable insights into how Snapchat ensures children’s safety, provides useful parental tools, and introduces a new educational YouTube video series.
The platform’s revamped strike system includes more rigorous scrutiny of publicly posted content on Stories and Spotlight. Content flagged by detection systems will undergo careful review. Accounts repeatedly found to be sharing inappropriate content will face bans.
Snapchat introduces two key features to protect teenagers from strangers. The first, called in-app alerts, notifies users when someone attempts to add them as a friend if they lack common contacts or aren’t on their contact list. Teens will receive a message encouraging thoughtful consideration of the request and trustworthiness of the sender.
The second feature increases the threshold for mutual friends required before a user appears as a friend suggestion. This measure aims to keep children safer by reducing contact with strangers.
While these proactive safeguards contribute to child protection, Snapchat emphasizes the importance of educating its user base about potential risks. The platform has integrated in-app content explaining these dangers, including a visible helpline for users in need of assistance. This educational material will be featured on the Stories platform and presented to users when they search specific terms or keywords. The content’s development involves collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Snapchat remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a secure environment for teenage users, continually enhancing its safety protocols and resources.
