Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms among teenagers and young adults. However, many parents are concerned about the implications of their children using Snapchat. There are several reasons why children, especially younger children, should not be on Snapchat.
Privacy Issues
One of the biggest concerns with Snapchat is privacy. The premise of Snapchat is that any photos, videos, or messages sent disappear after a set period of time. This gives a false sense of security. However, several issues undermine the privacy of Snapchat:
- Screenshots – Recipients can take screenshots of snaps before they disappear without the sender knowing.
- Third-party apps – There are many third party apps that can save Snapchat content before it disappears.
- Server storage – Snapchat images, videos, and data are stored on Snapchat’s servers, even after they have “disappeared” in the app.
So, despite the claim of ephemeral messaging, Snapchat content can be easily saved and distributed without consent. For children, this means that potentially embarrassing or risky photos or messages may come back to haunt them later.
Bullying and Harassment
Another issue with Snapchat is the potential for bullying and harassment. There are several features of Snapchat that facilitate bullying:
- Anonymous messaging – The Yolo app linked to Snapchat allows for anonymous messaging, which can lead to harmful bullying.
- Image and video sharing – Unlike cyberbullying through text, Snapchat allows bullies to share embarrassing or vulgar photos and videos of other children.
- Snapchat groups – Group chats allow multiple users to gang up on a victim. The ephemeral nature makes it difficult to trace bullying activities.
Cyberbullying on Snapchat can be extremely detrimental to a child’s mental health and wellbeing. The anonymity and disappearing nature makes it challenging for parents to monitor cyberbullying activity.
Sexting Risks
Sexting, or sharing sexually explicit photos, is also a huge risk, especially for tweens and teens on Snapchat. According to research:
- 97% of Snapchat users are between the ages of 12 and 24.
- 35% of teens have sent sexually explicit photos to their friends.
- 25% engaged in sexting with strangers.
The ephemeral messaging gives children a false confidence in sending inappropriate content. However, as discussed, the images can still be saved and shared without consent. Sexting as a child can have long-term consequences like:
- Blackmail
- Reputation damage
- Emotional distress
- Legal trouble
Parents should do their best to educate children about these risks and monitor their Snapchat usage closely.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content
Beyond the user-generated content on Snapchat, there is also the problem of exposing children to innappropriate content from public accounts. Pornography, violence, drug use, and other adult content is easy to find on Snapchat Discover through public accounts that children can easily access. According to polls, over 90% of parents are worried about the type of content their children are exposed to on Snapchat Discover.
Distraction from Responsibilities
Like any social media network, Snapchat can become addictive and kids can spend hours aimlessly snapping, watching stories, and chatting. This takes away from important priorities like:
- School work
- Extracurricular activities
- Reading and learning
- Face-to-face interaction
- Sleep
Excessive Snapchat usage can negatively impact a child’s emotional intelligence, focus, imagination, and attention span. Setting reasonable limits is important.
Sleep Disruption
Many kids use Snapchat at night before bed. The blue light emitted from smartphones screens negatively affects sleep by disrupting the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Poor sleep in childhood and teens is linked to:
- Mood swings
- Behavioral problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Weight gain
- Weakened immune system
Parents should set a strict “no Snapchat after 9 pm” rule to ensure kids are getting adequate rest for proper growth and development.
Location Tracking
Snapchat’s Snap Map feature tracks user’s locations and displays them publicly or to friends. This raises safety concerns, especially for younger users. Kids can accidentally reveal their location, without understanding the privacy and security risks involved.
Damaging Self-Esteem and Body Image
Snapchat promotes comparing lives and appearances to others. Constantly viewing carefully curated and edited snaps can negatively impact a child’s self-esteem and body confidence. These effects can be intensified with increased usage. Things like Snaps streaks also turn Snapchat into a daily competition and obsession.
Promotion of Underage Cosmetic Procedures
With social media, younger generations are exposed to more cosmetic procedures like fillers, botox, veneers etc. Plastic surgeons and cosmetic dentists now even use Snapchat for promotional purposes. This could promote dangerous behaviors like:
- Underage cosmetic procedures without parental consent.
- Body dysmorphia
- Eating disorders
- Appearance obsession
Children lack the maturity to make such procedures an informed adult choice. Exposure to this culture on Snapchat is concerning for child development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Snapchat is a platform that comes with many risks and negative impacts for still maturing children. The privacy issues, potential for cyberbullying and sexting, excessive distraction, sleep disruption, and damaging of self-esteem and body image are all compelling reasons for children, especially younger children, to avoid Snapchat. If children do use Snapchat, parents are advised to monitor their activities closely through methods like co-friending them and limiting their account. However, the best approach may be avoiding Snapchat entirely until they are older teenagers who can use Snapchat responsibly.