Now, the question- which is safer, Snapchat or Instagram, can be confidently answered that Snapchat is much more secure and private for texting.
Yes, Snapchat is safer than Instagram. But this does not mean that inappropriate content can not make its way into a users' Snaps. Whether it is Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram, the dangers of social media will always be there. The best thing to do is reduce screen time and apply parental control if needed.
Still, we recommend Instagram because of its more extensive user base and superior tools for influencers and marketers to make things easier for you. However, if you want a more private social networking experience with a fun image filter, Snapchat is the way to go.
Common Sense Media rates Snapchat OK for teens 16 and up, mainly because of the exposure to age-inappropriate content and the marketing ploys, such as quizzes, that collect data.
According to 2022 findings from Security.org, of all the social networks, kids on YouTube are the most likely to be cyberbullied at 79 percent, followed by Snapchat at 69 percent, TikTok comes in at 64 percent, and Facebook at 49 percent.
Parents should consider whether children are mature enough to navigate explicit content and whether they know how to think about the potential impact of what they post. That said, when used responsibly, Snapchat can be a positive outlet for older kids to explore their creativity and connect with friends.
People Often Use Snapchat When Hanging Out With Friends
This is likely because it's become a common way to capture memories with those they're closest to. 19% of users turn to Snapchat while shopping and 14% use it while attending social events.
Many assume their messages are secure and inaccessible without consent. But that's far from reality because Snapchat private messages aren't safe. Further, Snapchat forbids minors to engage in sexting according to its community guidelines.
Pros of Snapchat for kids
Social media apps are a great way for kids to stay in touch with friends and socialize. Snapchat offers additional benefits that some other apps don't. For example, photos and videos aren't displayed permanently on Snapchat. Instead, posted content “disappears” from feeds within 24 hours.
Snaps and Chats, including Voice and Video Chats, between you and your friends are private — we don't scan their content to create profiles or show you ads. This means we typically don't know what you're saying or Snapping unless you ask us to (for example, if you opt-in to Voice Chat transcripts).
With more than a billion monthly active users, Instagram is generally safe for many users. Users have access to many tools to ensure the security of their accounts, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), account activity logs, and various privacy settings.
Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account (in some jurisdictions, this age limit may be higher). Accounts that represent someone under the age of 13 must clearly state in the account's bio that the account is managed by a parent or manager.
How old should kids be to use Instagram? According to the terms of service, you have to be 13, but there's no age-verification process, so it's very easy for kids under 13 to sign up. Common Sense rates Instagram for age 15 and up because of mature content, access to strangers, marketing ploys, and data collection.
Parents and children must also be mutual friends on Snapchat for Family Center to work. Then, teens must accept their parent's request for monitoring on their end in the app.
Snapchat is restricted to users over the age of 13. If children under the age of 13 sign up for an account they are given access to 'SnapKidz' which is a limited version of Snapchat that doesn't allow images to be sent to other devices.
Since snaps, disappear they can't be monitored.
For parents of children under 18, says Altimare, it's important to understand the dangers of this feature as it can almost be impossible to see what snaps are being sent or received—which makes it easier for inappropriate content or bullying content to be shared and sent.
Most of the time, parents do not have access and control to any image or video being exchanged in Snapchat. One of the main problems of allowing kids to use social media is that this is a dangerous platform for them in the sense that they might be exposed to various kinds of cyberbullying.
Typically, it's best for children under 13 not to engage in romantic relationships as they are still developing emotionally and cognitively. Healthy friendships are encouraged for teenagers between 13 and 15, but romantic relationships could be too much for them to handle.
And while there are lots of apps to choose from, one expert told us WhatsApp is one of the best. "If you want to write, send pictures, videos, or voice messages to your partner, I recommend WhatsApp," said Gabe Turner, the editor of Security Baron.
DON'T: Have full conversations over Snapchat. This is why texting was invented people. DON'T: Screenshot someone's photo without permission. DON'T: Send what you post on your story to people.
Yes. My Eyes Only was implemented to bolster Snapchat safety, allowing you to keep your Snaps safe and encrypted, and protected behind a chosen code. According to Snapchat, even if someone steals your device and logs in to Snapchat somehow, those private Snaps are still safe.
The heavy lean towards younger people may be why Snapchat has had trouble staying relevant over its history. People over 24 may feel like most of their peers don't use the app anymore, so it is less popular. In late 2022, there were mass layoffs at Snapchat headquarters too, according to the Washington Post.
For single girls, Snapchat is a great resource. It allows them to browse through Snapchat profiles of other singles or communicate with potential dating prospects in a fun, unique way. Another benefit to using Snapchat is "secret" communication with people your partner is not aware of.
Additionally, 80% said that someone being too into Snapchat is a red flag. Not only might it signal that the person is self-absorbed, but it also creates more opportunities to flirt and cheat, users said.