SnapChat has been considered one of the most dangerous social media platforms because predators are attracted to it along with millions of teens, and for that reason it was included on the “Dirty Dozen” list compiled by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
National Center spokesperson Lina Nealon tells AFN there has been one key improvement known as “Family Center,” which gives parents more control and oversight. That new feature launched this week, and National Center was involved in demanding it.
“So we’re thrilled that it has launched,” Nealon says. “And it will give caregivers a bit more insight into what their children are doing on SnapChat and with whom they're interacting.”
But there is one glaring problem: SnapChat is already known for content that disappears within 24 hours, which can hide conversations and lurid photos and videos. So parents can see the person their child communicated with – but not the content – which means sexually explicit content is still being passed from phone to phone.
There is technology available to block that content, which is being used right now by Apple and by the dating Platform Bumble.
“There's no reason,” Nealon says, “why Snapchat can't do the same.”
