Being a parent in the age of Snapchat

Growing up in the late 70’s early 80’s, my parents taught me to avoid strangers. If someone unfamiliar comes near, don’t speak to them, don’t accept anything from them and don’t follow them. Look for an adult and tell them about the person if possible.

Fast forward 40 some years later and the stranger danger is still very real but we are now inviting them into our homes, into our children’s bedrooms and supplying them with information about our children’s whereabouts.

An article in the news last month really hammered home the importance of being informed and fully understanding the safety and security features of any app your child uses. The article was about the Snapchat rapist Rhodri Griffiths, who targeted teenage girls in Gwent area of Wales and has just been sentenced to 10 years.

As a technology leader it's part of my job to keep up with the latest trends, but as a parent, even I find it hard to keep up with the latest trends and apps that our children use. Snapchat is one of the most popular social media platforms among teens and tweens, but it also poses some serious risks for their safety and well-being. Here are some of the dangers of snapchat and how to keep your children safe from them.

Dangers of snapchat

Snapchat allows users to send and receive photos and videos that disappear after a few seconds. This can create a false sense of security and privacy, and encourage users to share inappropriate or risky content.

Snapchat also has a feature called Snap Map, which shows the location of users and their friends on a map. This can expose your children to strangers who may try to contact them or stalk them. One of the ways to prevent this is to disable the location settings on snapchat, or to use the ghost mode feature, which hides your location from others.

Snapchat can also be a platform for cyberbullying, as users can send mean or hurtful messages, or spread rumours or gossip. Cyberbullying can have a negative impact on your children's mental health and self-esteem.

How to keep your children safe

The first step is to have an open and honest conversation with your children about the risks and responsibilities of using snapchat or any other social media. Explain to them why it is important to be careful about what they share and who they share it with, and how to report and block any abusive or suspicious users.

The second step is to set some boundaries and rules for using snapchat or any other social media. For example, you can limit the time and frequency of using the app, or restrict the access to certain features or contacts. You can also monitor your children's activity and location using the parental control settings or third-party apps.

The third step is to support and empower your children to deal with any problems or issues that may arise from using snapchat or any other social media. Encourage them to talk to you or a trusted adult if they experience any cyberbullying, harassment, or pressure. Help them to develop coping skills and resilience, and to seek professional help if needed.

Snapchat and social media can pose some difficulties for parents, but it can also be a way to bond with your children and help them learn important life skills. By knowing the risks of snapchat or any other social media, and how to protect your children, you can enable them to have fun with social media without jeopardizing their safety and well-being.