Snapchat Parental Controls & Safety Settings

It’s important for parents to be aware of all the Snapchat Parental Controls & Safety Settings. Snapchat or Snap is an image-based sharing app. The platform is used widely among adults, teens and younger. While having a Parental Guidance rating in some countries, this app isn’t suitable for children under 13 years of age. There are several terms that parents need to familiarise themselves with that are related to the app as well as looking at the various settings.

Age Rating         PG Parental Guidance

It’s strongly recommended children under 13 years do not use Snapchat

Restrictions Available

• Data Sharing
• Identity Theft
• Inappropriate Content
• Sharing Location
• Social Networking
• Block/Ignore
• Privacy

 

Snapchat Terminology

Snap code

• This resembles a QR code which other users can scan with the camera to identify and connect quickly to a business, public or private account

 

Geo Filter

• Is the apps’ ability to recognise where you are physically in the world at the time of use? It is information that can be shared with others in content users create or to notify others where you are on the Snapmap.

****  THIS SETTING SHOUD BE DISABLED ON CHILDREN’S ACCOUNTS  ****

 

Snap Map

• This feature enables users to share their location in real time with other Snapchat users. It can be set to three settings Public, Ghost Mode and The feature can also be used to locate other Snapchat users

****  THIS SETTING SHOUD BE DISABLED ON CHILDREN’S ACCOUNTS  ****

 

Snap

• A generic term for a photo or video, which has been taken, posted, or shared with other Snapchat users

 

Story

• The Snapchat story feature enables a user to combine several snaps that have been taken and then present it as a Story which are shared publicly. The stories can be saved as a Memory if not disappear after 24 hours

 

Snapstreak

• This relates to Snapchat users who have shared content with each other every day. The higher the snapstreak the longer the time content has been shared daily with another users

               

 How to enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-Factor Authentication affords accounts an extra layer of security when signing into your Snapchat account. This is why it is possibly one of the most important settings which needs to be activated immediately on every account. Without this setting being activated, the account is vulnerable to attack as only the password is there to protect the account.

• Open the Snapchat App
• In the top left corner of the screen select the person icon
• Select the Cog Wheel in the top right corner of the screen
• Select Two Factor Authentication
• Select Continue
• Two options will become available
  • Text Verification
  • Authentication App

****  We Strongly advise if favour of using an Authentication App  ****

• Select which option suits your child’s needs best and follow the onscreen prompts

 

How to review the Friends list on Snapchat

• Open the Snapchat App
• In the top left corner of the screen select the person icon
• Scroll down Friends and select My Friends
• You can also access the contacts list by selecting the speech bubble at the bottom of the screen
• A full list of the current contacts will appear. These should be reviewed regularly by parents with strangers removed

 

 

How to review the Snapchat notification settings

• Open the Snapchat App
• In the top left corner of the screen select the person icon
• Select the Cog Wheel in the top right corner of the screen
• Select Notifications
• There are many permissions sought by the App to notify the account holder about. Please review each individually. Notifications can be distracting, and they often encourage overuse of an app. The options available are
  • Enable Notifications
  • Stories from friends
  • Friend Suggestions
  • Mentions
  • Memories
  • Friends Birthday’s
  • Message Reminders
  • Creative Effects
  • Best Friend Message Sounds
  • Wake Screen
  • Blink LED
  • Vibrate
  • Sound
  • Ring

 

 

How to review the Snapchat Notification Settings for Stories or Subscriptions the account user follows

• Open the Snapchat App
• In the top left corner of the screen select the person icon
• Select the Cog Wheel in the top right corner of the screen
• Select Notifications
• At the bottom of the Notifications list under Stories that I Follow, select Manage Story Notifications
• In the Story Notifications page that opens, parents should regularly review the Friends and Subscriptions to ensure that it is age appropriate for the user
• To unsubscribe simply untick the box relating to the subscribed account
• When finished select Done at the bottom of the screen

 

 

How to review the Snapchat Privacy and Location settings

• Open the Snapchat App
• In the top left corner of the screen select the person icon
• Select the Cog Wheel in the top right corner of the screen
• Select Contact Me and choose either Everyone or My Friends
• Return to the previous menu and then select Who can…. There are several settings here which need to be set for which you can choose either Everyone, Friends Only or Custom
  • Contact Me
  • Use My Cameos Selfie
  • View My Story
  • See Me In Quick Add
  • See My Location
• Return to the previous menu and select See Me in Quick Add. This enables users to contact mutual friends or other connections. For younger children it is recommended to deselect this option which is activated by default
• Again, return to the settings menu and select See My Location
• Activate Ghost Mode. Ensure this option is enabled for young users of the App to prevent the sharing of their location information with other users
• Under this setting there is also an option Who Can See My Location to share the account holder’s location the options available are
  • My Friends
  • My Friends Except
  • Only These Friends
• Again review the Allow Friends to request my location option also. This should be disabled

**** WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND AGAINST SHARING ANY LOCATION INFORMATION ****

  There is also an option for Location Requests to Allow Friends to Request My Location, this is enabled by default and should be disabled

 

 

How to Disable Ads on Snapchat

• Open the Snapchat App
• In the top left corner of the screen select the person icon
• Select the Cog Wheel in the top right corner of the screen
• Scroll down to the heading Features
• Select the Ads option
• Select Advert Preferences
• Deselect the following targeted advertising options which are activated by default
  • Audience-Based
  • Activity-Based
  • Third-Party Ad Networks

 

 

How to access the Snapchat Safety Centre

• Open the Snapchat App
• In the top left corner of the screen select the person icon
• Select the Cog Wheel in the top right corner of the screen
• Scroll down to the heading Support. Here there are three options
  • I Need Help
  • I have a Safety Concern
  • I have a Privacy Concern
• Select the option which represents the issue of concern

How to report a Story

• Press and hold on the offending Snap
• Then select Report Snap
• Follow the on-screen instructions

How to a Snap you received

• Press and hold on the offending Snap
• Then select Report
• Follow the onscreen instructions

 

How to report a Snapchat Account

• Press and hold on the Snappchatter’s name
• Select the More option
• Select Report
• Follow the onscreen instructions

How to report a Story on the web from your computer

• Select the three dots on the video to report it
• Follow the onscreen instructions

How to hide something on Discover

• Press and hold the title on the Discover Screen
• Select the Hide option
• You can also unsubscribe to see fewer Snaps like this this on your Discover screen