Snapchat is a widely popular messaging app where you can post and send photos and videos. The social media app has become a top favorite with its wide range of filters and effects that users can use to make images and photos more fun and creative. But what many people don’t tell you is that Snapchat was not made for children.
Even celebrities are hooked in Snapchat and no wonder, the kids are also enjoying using this application. But should our kids be using Snapchat, really?
As a parent, there are things that you have to take into consideration. There should be a parental concern since the app can have access to public videos and images that are not suitable for your kids.
Any time I let my 7 years use my phone she has to seat next to me so I can see what she is looking at. And I should say that I can count on one hand the times she has used my phone. Since she is 7 she is not calling anybody or leaving the house without us yet.
One of the things kids enjoy the most about Snapchat is the filters (I like them too) because they can change it around and take pictures which usually is what they are really after.
Here I am going to discuss the 10 main reasons why you should NOT allow your kid to use Snapchat?
#1 Data Collection
A lot of people who are using social messaging apps are not even aware that the platforms gather data and information.
Although this might seem non-threatening, just knowing that your data is being collected without your knowledge can actually be a scary thing especially since your child is involved.
What if they use the information for something else? You do not want to put your kid at risk. And what kind of information are they collecting? I don’t know but it will be safe to know that if you didn’t read the small print of the agreement (I know I didn’t) chances are you agreed to it.
#2 Snapchat Causes a Manipulated Addiction
Snapchat as with other social media sites can be highly addicting. When kids open the app, they see themselves browsing through the images and trying on various filters and effects.
After some time, they cannot seem to stop themselves from playing with the app. They get addicted to it and would always want to play Snapchat even if you tell them no.
Kids become dependant on the phone and this when you will see the tantrums and behavior problems when you are on at the grocery store and the child won’t stop crying because they want the phone, trust me I learned my lessons.
#3 Engineered Relationships
Children nowadays are so enamored and attached to using technology by playing phones and other kinds of gadgets.
unfortunately, this is the world we live in where our kids spend a great deal of time on the TV, games, cell or any electronic devices. I am old school as many will say, but I believe in getting dirty and playing outside.
Kids should be playing with others instead of having engineered relationships through online platforms as this will not effectively nurture their social skills not to mention the risks that come along with it.
#4 Discover
With millions of images and videos being shared on the platform, parents do not have any means of control to which they will set the limit to what their children can access.
When kids try to discover and dig through the different images and videos on the platform, they might end up looking at content that is not inappropriate for their age.
# 5 Selfishness
Through apps like Snapchat, you can share your images and videos by taking selfies.
Although there is really nothing wrong with that, unfortunately, once you get addicted to posting photos and people’s views and like them, it develops a narcissistic and selfish tendency as you always think about yourself and what people will think about you.
This is something that you would never want to have for your kids knowing at their very young age, they are still not aware of what is right and wrong.
#6 Snapchat Owns Royalty Rights
to every “Snap,” or photo message Any photo taken in Snapchat is owned by the developer which means that basically, no one holds ownership of any of the pictures taken. Snapchat and Facebook both claim photos can be permanently deleted. Forensics experts have poked holes in that promise
Some people prefer Snapchat over the other messaging apps because these platforms claim that they can be permanently deleted. For many, this gives assurance that whatever is being taken and posted can be deleted, especially if the content is inappropriate. However, this is not always the case. There have been numerous forensic experts who would attest to this.
# 7 Cyber Bullying and Exclusivity
Most of the time, parents do not have access and control to any image or video being exchanged in Snapchat. One of the main problems of allowing kids to use social media is that this is a dangerous platform for them in the sense that they might be exposed to various kinds of cyberbullying.
Kids do not share or tell their parents that they are being bullied and there are cases where parents will find the bullying a bit late.
#8 Predators
In Snapchat, everyone with a phone can use and access which means that your kid might encounter various people including predators who will try to take advantage of their innocence.
There have been a lot of cases where kids are endangered because of using social media. With predators knowing exactly how to entice and lure kids, it is dangerous to allow children to use social media even if let’s say there is parental consent.
#9 A False Sense of Security
Snapchat, unlike other social media apps, enables the users to delete the image or video within a certain period of time after sending the message.
This is what draws people to use the app because they think that the application is secured. Because users think that the content disappears, they tend to post risky content giving them a false sense of security when in fact this is really not the case.
Using technology that children can enjoy is not entirely bad and harmful for them. But there are certain platforms where they should not have access to considering their safety and for their own welfare. Snapchat is one of them.
This platform is without a doubt a cool and fun interface that teenagers and adults can use to connect with other people through images and videos they share but not for innocent kids who might face security risks and exposure to inappropriate content.