Snapchat Tips for Parents

By Tracey Dowdy

Teens and Snapchat go together like peanut butter and jelly, chips and salsa, bacon and eggs, wine and cheese, mmmm, cheese…. wait, where was I going with this? Oh yes, teens and Snapchat.

With roughly 110 million daily users, Snapchat has surpassed even Twitter’s popularity, particularly with teens.

So what is it? Simply put, Snapchat is a free video and photo sharing app. Users can choose to send a private chat that disappears after one viewing or post a series of photos to create a Snapchat story. Teens love it because it gives them the ability to capture a moment in time, whether it’s silly, hilarious or awkward. Because snaps only last up to 10 seconds, there’s more freedom than with other forms of social media like Facebook and Instagram.

However, it’s not quite as user-friendly as Twitter or Facebook and the challenges inadvertently filter out the less tech savvy, like parents. Since adults are all over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Snapchat is a place for our kids to virtually hang out without us and, just as with any other online activity, that is a plus or a minus depending on what your kids are up to.

Snapchat knows the risks involved and addresses them in their Terms of Use. They outline who can use Snapchat, what rights you have and what rights you grant them. There’s content and privacy guidelines mapped out as well as restrictions for copyrighted images, plus much more. There’s a fair amount of information and some is standard across social media platforms but it’s definitely worth the time to read through.

For example, users allow Snapchat access to their address book. It’s not uncommon for apps to request access to your private information but keep in mind that not everything you share is yours – you’re also sharing your friends’ information.

Snapchat also has the right to access your photos and videos. By agreeing to these “Terms of Use” users consent to “grant Snapchat and our business partners the unrestricted, worldwide, perpetual right and license to use your name, likeness, and voice solely in Live, Local, or other crowd-sourced content that you appear in, create, upload, post, or send.”

It’s also important to note that users are legally responsible for what happens while they’re logged on. That means underage teens exchanging nude pics are risking charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies and potentially being registered as sex offenders. Twenty states have laws specifically related to sexting. Teens need to remember that those kind of photos might not be as temporary or as private as they think.

Back in 2015, 18-year-old high school student Brandon Berlin was arrested for uploading nude and semi-nude photos of underage girls to Dropbox and sharing the images with friends. Most of the photos had been sent via Snapchat by the victims to their boyfriends who then forwarded them to Berlin. “This has to be a teachable moment for us with our kids. They have to understand that once you share something, even with just one person, once you share something online, electronically, you can’t get it back and you lose complete control over where it goes.” – Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman

Berlin’s senior quote in the yearbook? “I prolly had your pics.”

I must reiterate sexting isn’t the only or even the primary use of Snapchat. The intimacy that allows some to sext is valued by others for the simple reason there’s a lot less pressure. In the words of teenager Andrew Watts, “Snapchat has a lot less social pressure attached to it… If I don’t get any likes on my Instagram photo or Facebook post within fifteen minutes you can sure bet I’ll delete it.”

Snapchat’s popularity with teens is easily linked to the cliché “A picture is worth a thousand words.” It’s easy to misinterpret the meaning behind a text, but a picture and caption or a 10 second video makes your meaning clear.

For more insight and tips on helping your kids understand the risks, Verizon has a great article by Larry Magid, “What Parents Need to Know about Snapchat”.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Washington DC. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances, edits and researches on subjects ranging from family and education to history and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Comments:

  1. Excellent blog here! Additionally your web site rather a lot up very fast!
    What host are you the use of? Can I am getting your
    affiliate hyperlink in your host? I desire my
    web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  36. I’m really inspired together with your writing talents and also with the format on your weblog.
    Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself?

    Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it
    is uncommon to see a great weblog like this one nowadays..

  40. When some one searches for his essential thing, thus he/she wants to be
    available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.

  41. After going over a few of the blog posts on your web page,
    I honestly appreciate your technique of writing a blog.
    I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Take a look at my website as well and let me know what you
    think.

  43. I’ve been surfing on-line more than three hours
    nowadays, but I never discovered any fascinating article like yours.
    It’s pretty price enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably
    did, the internet will be much more helpful than ever before.

  46. Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest
    authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have
    you share some stories/information. I know my audience would appreciate
    your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to
    send me an e mail.

  47. Appreciating the persistence you put into your site and in depth information you offer.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed material.
    Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS
    feeds to my Google account.

  48. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to enhance my web
    site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  49. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation however
    I to find this topic to be actually one thing that I feel I’d by no means
    understand. It seems too complicated and extremely huge for me.
    I am taking a look forward on your subsequent publish, I’ll attempt to get the cling of it!

  50. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog
    and was wondering what all is needed to get set
    up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty
    penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
    Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks

  52. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled
    upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire
    in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your
    augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

  54. Hi, I do think this is an excellent website. I
    stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since I bookmarked
    it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue
    to guide others.

  55. Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this website before but after browsing through a few
    of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m
    certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back
    frequently!

  59. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a
    great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog
    and will come back later on. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your
    great work, have a nice holiday weekend!

  61. Howdy would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working
    with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near
    future but I’m having a hard time selecting
    between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  62. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested
    to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be
    a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.
    I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  63. I really like your blog.. very nice colors &
    theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for
    you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog
    and would like to find out where u got this from. thank you

  64. Terrific article! That is the kind of information that are meant to be
    shared across the web. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this post higher!
    Come on over and discuss with my web site .
    Thank you =)

  68. These are truly wonderful ideas in about blogging. You have
    touched some pleasant things here. Any way keep up wrinting.

  70. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you
    wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside
    case you shield this hike.

  75. Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just
    curious if you get a lot of spam feedback?
    If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you
    can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance
    is very much appreciated.

  76. Hey great website! Does running a blog such as this require
    a lot of work? I have no understanding of coding however I had been hoping to
    start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.

    I know this is off subject however I simply had
    to ask. Thanks a lot!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

Is There Life After Snapchat?

7 Social Media Mistakes You Should Try and Avoid

The Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom

7 Messaging Apps That Are Replacing SMS

Are Parents Guilty of Oversharing on Social Media?