Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among young people. A core part of Snapchat’s appeal is that the photos, videos, and messages you send (called snaps) are meant to be ephemeral. By default, snaps disappear after they are viewed. This creates a sense of privacy, allowing you to share more casual, silly, or personal moments without worrying about them coming back to haunt you later.
However, there is one way snaps can escape ephemerality: screenshots. If someone takes a screenshot of your snap, they can save it permanently on their phone and look at it or share it as many times as they want. To maintain Snapchat’s ephemeral vibe, the app has incorporated screenshot notifications to alert you when someone takes a screenshot of your snap. Here is why Snapchat added this notification feature and what it means when someone screenshots your snap.
Snapchat Wants You to Know Your Privacy May Be Compromised
The main reason Snapchat notifies you about screenshots is to protect your privacy. The whole point of Snapchat is sharing temporary moments. You may send silly selfies, inside jokes, or risque images assuming they will be seen once and disappear. A screenshot violates this expectation. Essentially, screenshots turn your ephemeral snaps into permanent photos or videos. The screenshot notification warns you that your snap’s privacy has been compromised.
Snapchat cannot prevent screenshots completely, as this is a function built into smartphones. But they implemented the notification to catch screenshotters in the act. Knowing your snap has been screenshotted allows you to adjust your Snapchat behavior accordingly. You may decide to be more cautious about what you send to someone who has screenshotted you. Or you may block that person altogether.
Screenshot Warnings Maintain Snapchat’s Ephemeral Values
The threat of screenshots could make some users hesitant to send snaps in the first place. After all, why bare your soul or share embarrassing selfies if they could resurface later? The screenshot notification feature aims to ease these concerns. It reminds people that Snapchat still captures ephemeral sharing, even if screenshots are possible. Screenshotting is depicted as a violation of social norms on the platform.
In this way, Snapchat leverages social pressure to maintain ephemerality. People who screenshot may be considered untrustworthy or sneaky if caught. Those who follow ephemeral etiquette should feel comfortable sharing casual snaps without worrying too much about screenshots.
Screenshots Are Against Snapchat Guidelines
Snapchat’s Community Guidelines explicitly prohibit using screenshots to save others’ snaps without consent: “Do not use Snapchat to capture, record, or share content without the consent of the owner(s).” Violating guidelines can get you banned from Snapchat.
The screenshot notification discourages breaking platform rules by exposing screenshotters. People may think twice about screenshotting if they know Snapchat will immediately inform the sender.
Snapchat Uses Screenshots for Troubleshooting
Snapchat also leverages screenshot notifications for internal purposes. Snapchat Support sometimes recommends screenshotting snaps that aren’t working properly. Capturing the error in a screenshot allows Snapchat to better diagnose the issue.
To avoid confusing users who screenshot per Support’s instructions, Snapchat sends a notification saying it was a Snapchat-initiated screenshot. This makes it clear the user did not capture the snap screenshot themselves.
Technical Issues Snapchat Troubleshoots with Screenshots
Here are some examples of technical issues that Snapchat Support may request screenshots for:
- Camera roll failing to save snaps
- Errors sending or opening snaps
- Glitches in augmented reality lenses
- Stories not posting
- Issues with chat or notifications
A screenshot provides invaluable detail, including any error messages that may pop up. Support can examine the image metadata for clues. Without a screenshot, it can be difficult for users to accurately describe technical problems happening on the app.
Snapchat Needs Permission Before Advising Screenshots
Of course, Snapchat Support will not recommend taking a screenshot without the sender’s consent. Support will first explain that a screenshot would help troubleshoot the issue. If the user agrees, Support will walk through how to take and send the screenshot.
This permission process helps assure senders that Support-initiated screenshots are solely for resolving app issues, not saving snaps. It maintains user trust in Snapchat’s privacy safeguards.
Some Snapchatters Use Screenshots for Legitimate Reasons
While many people screenshot snaps to deliberately save ephemeral content, there are legitimate reasons some Snapchatters screenshot.
To Remember or Respond to Content Later
You may screenshot a snap to help you remember or respond to the content later when you have more time. Reasons can include:
- Screenshotting instructions or an address to pull up once you can follow along or navigate there
- Saving a book/movie/restaurant recommendation to look up later
- Keeping the punchline of a joke to bring up once you’re with friends
- Remembering someone’s birthday or other event coming up
Taking a screenshot allows you to quickly save important details you don’t want to forget. You can access the screenshot through your camera roll whenever needed.
To Show Others the Content
You may also screenshot snaps to share the content with someone else. For example:
- Your kid looks cute doing something, so you screenshot to show your partner
- You see a product you think your friend would love, so you screenshot to send them
- Your boss sends an update about work, and you screenshot to discuss with coworkers
- A friend shares big news and you screenshot to congratulate them through text
Screenshotting can help you instantly share snaps with people who don’t have Snapchat or aren’t connected on there with the sender.
To Save Evidence
In some cases, screenshotting may provide evidence you need to take action:
- Someone admits to something inappropriate or illegal in a snap, and you screenshot for authorities
- You see concerning behavior from someone showing signs of harming themselves or others
- A company shares false claims or misleading content in a promotion
- Someone spreads misinformation or lies about you in a snap
Having a screenshot as proof could help support your case or inform others of the situation when needed.
How to Tell Who Screenshotted Your Snap
Wondering who exactly is screenshotting your snaps? The notification itself does not reveal names. But there are a couple ways to detect the screenshotter.
Using Context Clues
Often, simple context clues reveal who screenshotted you. For example:
- You sent a snap to one friend, then received the screenshot notification. They are likely the screenshotter.
- You posted a story and soon after your ex-girlfriend screenshots. She was likely the one who did it.
- A co-worker screenshots your snap immediately after opening it. They probably captured the screenshot.
When you have only sent a snap to select people, use reasoning to identify the most likely screenshotter.
Using a Second Account
You can confirm who screenshotted your snaps using a second account. The steps are:
- Set up a second Snapchat account and add yourself as a friend.
- From your main account, post a snap you think someone specific may screenshot.
- When you get the screenshot notification, check your second account to see who has viewed the snap. They are the screenshotter!
This two account trick definitively reveals who screenshotted your snap. You’ll have proof to confront or block the screenshotter if desired.
Should You Be Concerned About Snapchat Screenshots?
Getting notified someone screenshotted your snap can be alarming. You may worry about what they are doing with that photo or video. But in many cases, there is little reason for concern.
Most People Don’t Do Anything Malicious with Screenshots
While saving snaps is technically against Snapchat etiquette, the vast majority of screenshotters do not have ill intent. They may screenshot something funny to laugh about later, a cute selfie to compliment you on, or a recommendation to try eventually. Annoying? Maybe. But not actually malicious.
Very few Snapchat users are plotting to blackmail, humiliate, or hurt you with your snap. Chances are a screenshotter just found your content worth saving.
Embarrassing Snaps Rarely Go Viral
Even in the worst case scenario where someone screenshots an embarrassing photo to share or mock you, it is unlikely to spread far. The internet is oversaturated with content as is. One rando’s funny or inappropriate snap getting passed around a social circle or small forum does not equal instant virality and ruin.
While possible, it is extremely rare for a screenshot to get so widely shared across the internet that it wrecks someone’s life. If you sent risque snaps, you might get made fun of by acquaintances but likely not publicly shamed online.
You Can Report Abusive Use of Screenshots
In the very rare case someone tries to exploit, threaten, or blackmail you using an inappropriate screenshot, you can report them. Snapchat Forbids using screenshots for:
- Blackmail, extortion, and demanding ransom money
- Sharing private images to hurt or humiliate others
- Unwanted sexual advances and harassment
- Impersonating others or falsely representing yourself
Snapchat will investigate reports of screenshot misuse and take action against rule-breaking accounts. In some cases, law enforcement may get involved if laws were broken.
How to Prevent Snapchat Screenshots
If you want to ensure your snaps never get screenshotted, there are a few precautions you can take:
Avoid Sending Sensitive Snaps
The only surefire way to prevent bad screenshots is not taking risks in the first place. Avoid sending:
- Nudity or sexually explicit content
- Confessions of crimes or illicit behavior
- Compromising photos/videos that could be used against you
- Offensive content targeting individuals or groups
Keep your snaps fun and innocuous without crossing lines or oversharing personal details.
Customize Viewing Time
Shortening the viewing time makes it harder to screenshot snaps. Custom times under the default 10 seconds allow less time to react. Just tap the clock icon when sending a snap to adjust viewing length.
Very brief 1-5 second snaps dramatically reduce chances of screenshotting. But this could annoy recipients trying to actually view your content.
Avoid Sending to Untrustworthy People
Be selective about who can view your snaps, especially those you would not want screenshotted. Only add real friends you know well and trust.
If someone tries to screenshot once, they will likely do it again. Block them to prevent future screenshot notifications.
Use Screenshot Prevention Apps
Third party apps claim to prevent Snapchat screenshots using methods like:
- Detecting screenshot motion and automatically closing the image
- Covering photos with overlays that appear in screenshots
- Requiring button holds to view snaps, preventing screenshots
However, the effectiveness of these apps is questionable. Proven ways to avoid screenshots are being selective about snap content and recipients.
Conclusion
Snapchat notifies users about screenshots to uphold ephemeral sharing values and give insight into privacy violations. While many screenshot to innocently save snaps, others may exploit embarrassing photos. Identifying bad actors through context clues allows you to block them. Malicious screenshot usage is rare, but can be reported. Exercising caution about snap content and viewers is the best way to avoid unwanted screenshots. While annoying, screenshots are ultimately a minor risk unlikely to cause real damage for most Snapchat users.