Social platform · Medium risk
Is Snapchat safe for your child?
Age guide
13+
We advise Snapchat from age 13 and up. Overall risk 6/10 (medium risk).
- 5-8
- Snapchat is not designed for this age group and contains features like ephemeral messaging and location sharing that are inappropriate for young children.
- 9-12
- Children in this age range are too young for Snapchat's features, which include direct messaging with strangers and content that can be easily misinterpreted or shared without full understanding.
- 13-15
- Teenagers in this group often use Snapchat for visual communication and group chats, but parents should be aware of the 'My AI' chatbot, Snap Map location sharing, and the potential for inappropriate content on Spotlight or Discover.
- 16+
- Older teens may use Snapchat for sharing moments with friends and consuming news on Discover, but they still need to be mindful of privacy settings, the permanence of 'ephemeral' content, and interactions with 'My AI' or unknown contacts.
Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app used globally to share photos, videos, and messages that are typically ephemeral. It's known for its filters, augmented reality lenses, and 'Stories' feature.
- Age guide
- 13+
- Overall risk
- 6/10
- Violence
- 2/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 6/10
- Stranger contact
- 8/10
- Addiction risk
- 9/10
- Language
- 6/10
- Influence
- 8/10
What parents should know
Snapchat is a popular social media app known for its ephemeral messaging and visual content sharing. It includes features like Snap Map for location sharing, 'My AI' for chatbot interactions, and 'Spotlight' for public content. Parents should actively manage privacy settings and discuss safe online communication with their children.
What to do about Snapchat
Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.
- The age-by-age verdict
What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for Snapchat is 13+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact Snapchat setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about Snapchat without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in Snapchat that mean it is time to step in.
Snapchat age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is Snapchat?
Parentwise puts Snapchat at 13+. We advise Snapchat from age 13 and up. Overall risk 6/10 (medium risk). Violence scores 2/10, language 6/10, stranger contact 8/10 and addiction risk 9/10.
Can a 10 year old use Snapchat?
Not by default: we advise Snapchat from 13+, so at 10 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this age range are too young for Snapchat's features, which include direct messaging with strangers and content that can be easily misinterpreted or shared without full understanding.
Can a 12 year old use Snapchat?
Not by default: we advise Snapchat from 13+, so at 12 it needs your supervision and the settings changed first. Children in this age range are too young for Snapchat's features, which include direct messaging with strangers and content that can be easily misinterpreted or shared without full understanding.
Can a 13 year old use Snapchat?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for Snapchat (13+). Teenagers in this group often use Snapchat for visual communication and group chats, but parents should be aware of the 'My AI' chatbot, Snap Map location sharing, and the potential for inappropriate content on Spotlight or Discover.
Is Snapchat appropriate for kids?
Snapchat is a popular social media app known for its ephemeral messaging and visual content sharing. Parentwise rates Snapchat overall as medium risk (6/10), with stranger contact at 8/10 and addiction risk at 9/10.
Is Snapchat family friendly?
Snapchat sits in the middle: fine with settings changed and an occasional check-in. It includes features like Snap Map for location sharing, 'My AI' for chatbot interactions, and 'Spotlight' for public content.
Snapchat parents guide: what should a parent know first?
Snapchat is a popular social media app known for its ephemeral messaging and visual content sharing. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (8/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (9/10).
Is Snapchat safe for kids?
We advise Snapchat from age 13 and up. Overall risk 6/10 (medium risk). It includes features like Snap Map for location sharing, 'My AI' for chatbot interactions, and 'Spotlight' for public content.
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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.