In today’s digital age, many parents are concerned about keeping tabs on their kids’ online activities. Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media apps among teens and preteens, with over 250 million daily active users. The ephemeral nature of Snapchat, where images and videos disappear after being viewed, makes it challenging for parents to monitor. Luckily, there are a few parental control apps that can help parents keep an eye on their child’s Snapchat account.
Why parents want to monitor Snapchat
There are several understandable reasons why parents may want to monitor their child’s Snapchat activity:
- Concerns about inappropriate content – Snapchat allows users to share images and videos that disappear. This can lead to the spread of sexually explicit material or cyberbullying.
- Stranger danger – Like any social platform, Snapchat carries a risk of predators looking to connect with minors.
- Screen time concerns – Kids can easily lose track of time on social apps. Monitoring Snapchat use can help enforce healthy limits.
- Information privacy – Teens may share personal details like location, school, phone number without realizing the risks.
While kids may resist parental monitoring of apps like Snapchat, parents ultimately have a responsibility to protect their children online. Monitoring can be done in a transparent way, with teens fully aware, to avoid any deception.
Key features for monitoring Snapchat
When evaluating parental control apps for Snapchat monitoring, there are a few key features parents should look for:
- Messages – The ability to view Snapchat conversations and media.
- Alerts – Get notified if your child receives inappropriate messages or interacts with unknown accounts.
- Time limits – Set daily or weekly restrictions on Snapchat usage.
- Geofencing – Receive alerts when your child has entered or left permitted locations.
- Web filtering – Block inappropriate web content that may be accessed via links on Snapchat.
- Screenshots – Capture Snapchat activity, since the app deletes conversations.
The most robust Snapchat parental controls will include a combination of these functionalities.
5 parental control apps that can monitor Snapchat
Here are 5 of the top-rated parental control apps on the market that include Snapchat monitoring features:
1. FamiSafe
FamiSafe from Wondershare is one of the most popular parental monitoring tools for Android and iOS devices. Key Snapchat monitoring features include:
- View Snapchat messages, photos, videos.
- Get suspicious activity alerts.
- Set screen time limits for Snapchat app.
- Block inappropriate website links shared on Snapchat.
FamiSafe also allows monitoring of additional social apps like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. It works on kid’s devices without needing the parent app installed.
2. Bark
Bark offers robust Snapchat monitoring via its app and web dashboard. Parents can:
- View all Snapchat messages and media.
- Get alerted about signs of cyberbullying, depression, sexual content.
- Enable location alerts when kids have arrived or left a designated area.
- Set time limits for Snapchat app use.
Bark claims to detect problematic content with 98% accuracy using AI algorithms. It also covers monitoring for apps like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and texting.
| App | Snapchat Monitoring Features |
|---|---|
| FamiSafe | View messages/media, alerts, time limits, web blocking |
| Bark | View messages/media, alerts, location tracking, time limits |
3. uMobix
uMobix is a monitoring app for iOS and Android that enables:
- Snapchat message and media monitoring.
- Screenshot capture of Snapchat activity.
- Blocking of inappropriate website links.
- Location tracking alerts.
- App usage time restrictions.
uMobix also monitors text messages, call logs, contacts and live location. It can be installed without having physical access to the device.
4. SpyFone
SpyFone is designed for hidden iOS and Android monitoring. For Snapchat, it allows parents to:
- View private chats and snaps.
- Get SMS alerts on suspicious Snapchat activity.
- See Snap Map location history.
- Block unwanted app downloads.
SpyFone runs discreetly in the background without app icons. However, installing it requires physical access to the device.
5. Spyzie
Spyzie is a phone monitoring app for iOS and Android enabling parents to:
- View Snapchat messages, photos and videos.
- Get alerted on cyberbullying or sexting.
- Monitor device location history.
- Block websites and apps.
Spyzie lacks time limit capabilities but offers broad social media monitoring and SMS alerts on detected issues.
Factors to consider when choosing a Snapchat monitoring app
When selecting a parental control app for monitoring Snapchat, here are some key factors for parents to consider:
- Compatibility – Make sure the app works on your child’s iPhone or Android device.
- Ease of use – The app should have an intuitive interface and controls.
- Features – Determine which Snapchat monitoring capabilities are most useful for your needs.
- Stealth – If total secrecy is required, look for apps allowing hidden installation.
- Price – Subscription costs can range from $5 to $200+ per month.
- Reliability – Check app reviews to evaluate monitoring accuracy and bugs.
- Customer support – Apps should have knowledgeable reps available to address issues.
Testing out free trials can help parents decide on the best app for their family’s needs.
Ethical considerations for parents
While monitoring apps provide parents power to view kids’ digital activities, there are some ethical issues to keep in mind:
- Transparency with children – Making monitoring clear to kids avoids deception.
- Privacy concerns – Capturing intimate conversations/media raises ethical issues.
- Impact on trust – Constant monitoring may damage parent-child relationships.
- Promoting autonomy – Allow increasing privacy as kids prove responsibility.
- Legal compliance – Adhere to relevant wiretapping and stalking laws.
Parents should aim to use just enough monitoring to keep kids safe, while maintaining open communication and trust.
Conclusion
Snapchat can present challenges for parents trying to keep tabs on their kids’ activities. However, specialized parental control apps now enable monitoring of Snapchat messages, photos, videos and more. Leading options include FamiSafe, Bark, uMobix, SpyFone and Spyzie. The right Snapchat monitoring app depends on parents’ specific needs, budget, device types and comfort level with covert surveillance. With proper use, these apps can give parents valuable insights into kids’ digital behaviors without excessively invading privacy.