Should They Play?The parents' guide to apps and games

Should I let my child use Snapchat?

18+

No

Not for under-18s right now. US states are suing Snap over the sexual exploitation of children on Snapchat, and those cases are still open.

Snapchat has improved its protections for teens: by default they can only message friends and saved contacts, and they're hidden from strangers' searches. But friend suggestions (the app calls this Quick Add) still connect teens with people they don't know, and messages that disappear make it hard for parents to see what happened. New Mexico's Attorney General is suing Snap, saying its design enables sextortion and the sexual exploitation of children, and a court has let the case go ahead. Texas and other states have since sued too. Those cases are still open, so our answer is no. If your teenager already uses it, the steps below reduce the risks.

Snapchat fails 4 of our 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings

Last checked . Snapchat is made by Snap Inc. and runs on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a messaging app built around photos and videos that disappear after they're viewed. Users also share Stories, watch short videos, chat with an AI chatbot and can share their location on a map. Snapchat says users must be at least 13.

Our advice by age

Under 13
NoSnapchat's own minimum age is 13. Younger children often join by giving a false date of birth, which removes the protections for teens.
13 to 15
NoUnder-16s can only share Stories and short videos with friends, and can only message friends and contacts. But strangers can still send friend requests, and the cases over children's safety are open.
16 and 17
NoOlder teens can post to people they don't know. If your teenager already uses Snapchat, set up every step below.

What to watch out for

  • Contact from strangersRisk is high by default, medium with controls on

    Friend suggestions show teens to people with mutual friends, and anyone they accept can message them. US states and families say adults have used Snapchat to groom children and pressure them into sending sexual images (sextortion). Family Centre shows parents who their child is friends with, but not what they say.

  • Disappearing messagesRisk is high by default, high with controls on

    Photos and messages disappear after they're seen, which makes children feel safer sharing things they shouldn't, and makes it hard for parents to see what happened. No setting turns this off.

  • Sharing their locationRisk is medium by default, low with controls on

    The map (Snap Map) can show your child's location to friends. It's off by default, and you can check it in Family Centre.

  • Time and streaksRisk is high by default, medium with controls on

    Streaks reward sending snaps every day, which pressures children to keep coming back. Family Centre now shows how much time they spend, but can't set a limit.

What's good about it

  • Teens can only message friends and saved contacts by default, and can't turn it off
  • Under-16s can only share Stories and videos with friends
  • Family Centre shows parents their child's friends and screen time

If your child already uses it

If your child already uses Snapchat, these steps make it much safer. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.

  1. Use your child's real date of birth

    The protections for teens depend on it. A false birthday removes them.

  2. Link your account with Family Centre

    Install Snapchat yourself, open Family Centre and invite your child. You'll see their friends list, new friends and time spent.

  3. Review new friends together

    Check new friends in Family Centre and ask how your child knows anyone you don't recognise.

  4. Keep their location hidden

    In Snap Map settings, choose Ghost Mode so no one can see where they are.

  5. Talk about disappearing photos

    Explain that anything they send can be saved with a screenshot, and that they should tell you straight away if anyone asks for photos or threatens them.

  6. Set a daily time limit

    Use Screen Time on Apple or Family Link on Android, because Snapchat can't limit time itself.

Recent news

  1. Snapchat sued in case alleging the platform is responsible for 12-year-old's rapeCNN

    A Missouri family says an adult used Snapchat's friend suggestions and disappearing messages to groom their 12-year-old daughter.

  2. Snapchat implements new restrictions for users under 16Social Media Today

    Under-16s can now only share Stories and short videos with friends, though they can still message anyone they're connected with.

  3. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues SnapchatThe Texas Tribune

    Texas says Snapchat's 12+ rating misleads parents, because children see sexual content and drug use, and its streaks are designed to be addictive.

  4. Snapchat expands Family Centre with new teen controlsSecurityBrief UK

    Parents can now see how much time their teen spends on Snapchat, and how their child knows each new friend.

Common questions

What age is Snapchat suitable for?

Right now we don't recommend it for under-18s. Snapchat's own minimum age is 13, and the App Store rates it 12+, but US states are suing Snap over the sexual exploitation of children on Snapchat, and those cases are still open.

Is Snapchat safe for a 12-year-old?

No. Snapchat requires users to be at least 13. Children who join with a false date of birth also lose the protections Snapchat gives teens.

Can strangers message my child on Snapchat?

By default, teens can only receive messages from friends and saved contacts. But friend suggestions can connect them with people they don't know, and once your child accepts a friend request, that person can message them.

What is sextortion, and why does it matter on Snapchat?

It's when someone persuades a child to send a sexual image, then threatens to share it unless they pay or send more. Several US states and families say it happens on Snapchat because messages disappear. Tell your child they can always come to you, and that it's never their fault.

Can Snapchat show my child's location?

Only if they turn it on. Location sharing on the map is off by default. Ghost Mode keeps it hidden, and Family Centre lets you check the setting.

All my child's friends use it. What should I do?

That's hard when friends use it to keep in touch. We'd still say no for now, but explain why rather than just saying it: talk about strangers, disappearing photos and why it's never their fault if someone pressures them. If your teenager already uses Snapchat, link Family Centre, review new friends together and keep their location hidden.

What would change your verdict?

The open cases over the exploitation of children ending well, and a way for parents to stop their child accepting friend requests from strangers. Even then, because anyone can post, the best possible answer would be 'only with conditions'.