Snapchat is one of the most popular social media platforms today, with over 300 million users worldwide, and an estimated 21% of those users are between the ages of 13-17.
With its popularity, it’s no surprise that parents ask if it’s safe for their children, especially those under 13, to use this platform.
This article will explore whether or not Snapchat is safe for 12-year-olds, as well as what potential dangers parents should be aware of and the current legalities surrounding its use by minors in this age group.
Is Snapchat Safe for 12 Year Olds?
No; while there are some safety measures in place, such as parental controls and reporting inappropriate content, there are still many potential risks associated with using this platform at a young age.
These risks include cyberbullying exposure to inappropriate content, and even identity theft or fraud if personal information is shared with strangers online.
Furthermore, because the app is designed primarily for adults, it can be difficult for younger users to navigate safely without guidance from an adult or older user who understands how to use it properly and responsibly.
10 Reasons why Snapchat Should Not be Used by 12 years Olds:
- Snapchat’s terms of service state that you must be 13 years old to use the app.
- Messages on Snapchat can disappear quickly, making it difficult for parents to monitor what their children are sending and receiving.
- Children may be exposed to inappropriate content from other users.
- There is a potential for cyberbullying and harassment on Snapchat.
- It does not provide parental control features like many other apps.
- Predators may use Snapchat to contact young people unsafely.
- Some users may engage in activities such as sexting which can lead to legal consequences for minors and their parents or guardians if caught engaging in these activities on the app.
- Ads can target children who may not fully understand the implications of clicking them or sharing sensitive information with advertisers.
- Location settings can make it easier to be tracked by strangers without permission or knowledge of the user’s location changes over time due to the mobile device’s GPS capabilities.
- Social pressures caused by comparing snap stories can hurt self-esteem and affect mental health negatively.
What Are the Potential Dangers of Snapchat?
One danger of letting a 12-year-old use Snapchat is that they may be cyberbullied. It can be hard for parents to see what their child is looking at because it disappears quickly, and people are anonymous on Snapchat.
If parents do not have access to their child’s login information or if they do not actively monitor their account, they may not be able to see what their child is doing online.
Additionally, younger users may receive inappropriate content because there are no age restrictions when creating an account (although you must be at least 13 years old according to their terms of service).
This includes nudity or explicit language, which could hurt their development and mental health if exposed too often or without proper guidance from an adult about how best to handle these situations should they arise.
Ultimately, if your child shares personal details such as addresses or phone numbers with strangers through instant messages or posts, there is an increased risk of identity theft and fraud.
Sadly, this can have long-term financial and emotional repercussions for them in the future. So it’s essential to take steps to prevent that from happening.
How Can Parents Protect Their Children on Snapchat?
The first step parents should take when considering allowing their child access to any social media platform is ensuring they understand all relevant safety measures before granting them access.
This includes setting up parental controls so they can monitor what type of content their child is viewing/posting and setting appropriate boundaries around who they can interact with online (i.e., only people they know in real life).
Parents should also ensure their child knows how to report inappropriate content they encounter while using the app.
This includes other users’ posts and ads that may appear within stories. By doing this, moderators can remove the content quickly before anyone else sees it.
Ultimately, it is paramount for parents to explain the hazards of sharing personal information like phone numbers and addresses on the internet with their children.
Doing so should be avoided unless necessary – such as when meeting someone in person – due to putting them at risk.
What Are the Legalities of 12 Year Olds Using Snapchat?
According to Snap Inc., anyone under 13 cannot create an account on their platform.
However, suppose a parent allows their child between 13 and 17 access. In that case, they must provide written consent via email before any account creation (this applies even if your child already has an existing account created prior).
Snap Inc also states that any accounts found violating these terms will result in immediate termination without warning.
Parents must ensure that all rules they set are followed to protect themselves and their children from any potential legal repercussions.
How To Report Inappropriate Content On Snapchat:
Suppose your child does come across any inappropriate content while using Snapchat. In that case, there are several ways you can report it depending upon where exactly you found said material.
These include flagging posts made directly within stories/posts/direct messages via tapping ‘report’ underneath said post(s) right through submitting screenshots directly via email addressed to Snap Inc’s customer support team.
They will investigate further once received accordingly (all reports submitted remain confidential unless requested otherwise).
Therefore, parents and children must understand how best to report any offensive material encountered during usage periods granted by parents beforehand so that appropriate action can be taken quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
While Snapchat offers many benefits to those aged thirteen plus, it’s generally not recommended to allow twelve-year-olds access to the platform.
This is due to potential dangers posed against minors using unsupervised, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and even identity theft fraud if personal information is shared with strangers online.
If your child secretly uses the app without permission, you must explain the risks involved.
Ultimately, it’s up to parents to decide whether or not their child is ready for this type of responsibility, set appropriate boundaries around usage periods, and manage who they communicate with online.
By understanding the potential consequences, you can better protect your children from harm while ensuring they can still safely enjoy all the features Snapchat offers.