Advocacy groups are alerting parents to potential risks associated wiht Snapchat, citing hidden features and safety concerns within the popular social media platform. The warnings come as families navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, where children and teenagers routinely engage with social media for communication and entertainment.
These concerns center on Snapchat’s potential for exposing young users to inappropriate content, online predators, and cyberbullying. Experts emphasize the platform’s ephemeral nature – messages disappear after viewing – can create a false sense of security and hinder parental oversight. The issue gains urgency as Snapchat remains widely used by adolescents despite growing awareness of its potential downsides.
Isak Dinesen, a reporter with WDAY-TV since September 2024, reported on the growing concerns. Dinesen previously served as a multimedia journalist at WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin for three years, and is a graduate of north Dakota State University (2020) with a journalism degree and a minor in Sports Communication from Minnesota State University Moorhead.Advocates are urging families to proactively discuss online safety with their children, familiarize themselves with Snapchat’s privacy settings, and monitor their children’s online activity. They also recommend reporting any suspicious behavior or inappropriate content to Snapchat and law enforcement. The groups plan to continue raising awareness and advocating for stronger safety measures on the platform.
