A Parents & Guardians

Guide to Snapchat

What’s inside?

Snapchat’s Common Safety & Wellness Conversation

Features FAQ’s Resources Starters
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A Letter From Parents Unlike other platforms, we don’t allow public

comments, and our default settings mean a
Snapchatters can only receive messages from
range of active safety partners, we let our teens
know that their safety is our priority.

Who Work at Snap Inc. people who they’ve added as a Friend.

Beyond talking to friends, Snapchat is great

We created this parent’s guide to provide you
with additional information that empowers you
and your family to safely express yourselves,
for families to stay connected. Snapchat helps live in the moment, learn about the world, and
Dear Parents and Guardians, our app. Our goal is to provide a space for teens you use your creativity to communicate in a fun have fun together. We hope you find it helpful
to express their creativity and authentic selves. and casual way! It’s a place to just have fun with as you continue to have open and honest
Your teenager created a Snapchat account. Snapchat is different from traditional social each other (no worrying about to-do lists or conversations with your teen about what they
Now what? You’re skeptical. Why would your media as the app was created as a fun way to reminders to wash the dishes). Instead, you get are doing online.
teen want to use an app where much of their keep in touch with close friends, not strangers. a chance to send silly pictures and live in the
content deletes by default? Social platforms are moment (without clogging your camera roll!). Remember, we’re here for you and your teen!
constantly evolving, and we understand it can Use Snapchat to Snap pictures of your family
be hard to keep up. It’s natural to have questions Why does my teen pet while your teen is at school, or add our - The Parents who work at Snap Inc.
and concerns, and we hope that you find this Lenses to get a laugh out of your teen!
guide helpful in learning about Snapchat and
want to use an app
becoming a resource to educate and empower where much of their We understand that any app that facilitates
your teen. communication has the potential to be abused,
content deletes by which is why we have -- and will continue to
We recognize that you want to ensure that your default? -- focus a lot of time, resources and energy on
teen is well protected and informed while using the safety of our platform. With extensive in-app
reporting, our community guidelines, and wide
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Table of Contents

3
What is
4
Common
6
Top
7
Our Privacy
8
Helpful
9
Wellness
10
How to Talk to
Snapchat? FAQs Features Principles Safety Tips Resources your Teen About
Snapchat
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Snapchat 101
As a parent or educator, you might
know Snapchat as the messaging and
camera app that’s one of the only ways
teens communicate with their friends
these days. From the very beginning,

What is Snapchat?
we’ve focused on helping real friends
connect when they’re apart and to feel
comfortable expressing themselves in
the moment. Snapchat was created as
a tool to make people feel comfortable
expressing themselves with their camera.

Snapchat is deliberately built differently

than traditional social media, in ways that
make it much safer for our community.
We encourage parents and teens to have
regular conversations about appropriate
use of Snapchat and other platforms
which is why we put together this guide.
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Common FAQs 2 Tell me more about Snaps?

Snaps are made for quick and easy communication,
just like real life conversations! That’s
why when you send a Snap to a
3 What are Snap’s Safety Standards?
All ​users​on Snapchat must comply with Snap’s ​Terms
of Service​and ​Community Guidelines​, which prohibit
hate speech, discrimination, misinformation, bullying,
With our camera, we’ve created a way for people to Just tap on the camera icon to take a photo or hold to friend, the Snap deletes by default, harassment, violent content, and
express themselves using our creative tools to say so take a video. You can send pictures or videos, called like words spoken aloud. We believe much more. Snap has dedicated
much more in a single Snap than the limitations of a “Snaps,” to friends, which are not designed to facilitate this drives the level of authentic 24HR teams who create and enforce
text message. On Snapchat, you’re free to be you with easy messaging from strangers. When you first create conversation that we see across these policies.
the people you care about the most. Here are some an account, by default, you cannot receive a message Snapchat every day.
answers to your most common questions: from someone you have not added as a friend. To learn more on how we protect
Remember, even though the Snaps our users, check out our Privacy
are designed to delete by default, a friend can still Center.
1 How does the app work? grab a screenshot, record the screen, or capture
it with another device.
After you’ve signed-up for an account and created Express
4 Is there an age requirement to create
your Bitmoji, it’s time to start exploring! Snapchat has Yourself! an account?
5 tabs (from left to right): Map, Chat, Camera, Stories &
Spotlight. Snapchat opens to the Camera. Yes. No one under 13 is allowed to create an account
or use Snapchat and we don’t direct our services to
anyone under 13. If you have a child under 13 using
Snapchat, please reach out to us with your child’s
username and verification of your relationship.
You’re in control of who you share things with, how
you share them, and how long they can be viewed
on Snapchat.
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5 How can I help keep my teen stay safe

on Snapchat?
Snapchat is deliberately built differently than traditional
social media—in ways that make it much safer for
6 How do I report a Safety Concern?
We make it easy for our community to get in touch via
in-app reports and off-platform feedback to identify
inappropriate users and content. Users can report any
content through in-app reporting, our support portal,
“ We focus on creating
our community. Snapchat is a place to connect and
communicate with friends and loved ones, but it’s and the Snapchat Support Twitter account. We take
action in accordance with our Community Guidelines
effective Guidelines,
protecting our Snapchatters
important to know how to stay safe. We recommend
checking out our Safety Center to learn more about and aggregate feedback to improve Snapchat.
Our Policies, Our Team, and information for Parents
and Educators. Some helpful tips for your teen include:
creating a strong password, verifying their email and
Note: If you feel someone is in immediate danger,
contact your local law enforcement agency right away.
and providing a safe, fun
mobile number, only accepting friend requests from
people that they know in real life, and reading up on
environment for creativity
our Community Guidelines so they can try to help their
friends to follow them too!
and self expression. If your
teen ever experiences a
Only accept friend
requests from safety concern, they should
people you know always report it to us.“
in real life.
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Chat:
How to use Snapchat
For additional information on when Snapchat deletes
Snaps and Chats, please visit our support article here.
From the very beginning, we’ve focused Check out Page 27 for more on these terms!
on helping real friends connect when

Top Features
they’re apart, and to feel comfortable Stories:
expressing themselves in the moment.
Snapchat allows for video, photo, This is where Snapchatters can view Stories from
audio, and text chats, as well as phone their Friends, Creators, and the broader Snapchat
and video calls. Messages are deleted community! It’s also where you can view and watch
by default, and a user cannot receive subscriptions from Discover and “For You” option.
To help you navigate the app, check out some Snap Map: a one-on-one chat from someone they
Snapchat fundamentals below. For a full list of features, aren’t already friends with.
check out our Snap Glossary on Page 27. Snap Map connects our community to their best Spotlight:
friends and to different places around the world. As Camera:
First thing first: There’s more to Snapchat then just with all our products, the Snap Map was designed Spotlight shines a light
sending photo and video messages. The app has 5 with privacy top of mind, and location-sharing is off by Snapchat automatically opens to the Camera. This on the most entertaining
tabs (from left to right): Snap Map, Chat, Camera, default for all users. When a Snapchatter opens Snap is where you can take Snaps — which are videos or Snaps created by the
Stories & Spotlight. Map for the first time, they’re prompted to choose photos. After a Snap is created, it can be layered with Snapchat community.
who they’d like to share their creative tools, like Filters, texts, stickers, attachments Explore by swiping
location with-- whether that be and more. A Snap can be: up and down to move
all their friends, a customized between content. If you
few, or no one (Ghost Mode). Sent in a Chat see something you want
Places on the Snap Map allows Saved to Memories to see more of, tap the
for Snapchatters to view business heart to Favorite it and
Added to My Story or create a
hours and reviews, make take-out personalize your feed!
and delivery orders. Private Story or Custom Story
Deleted
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At Snap, we make your privacy a priority.

We know your trust is earned every time you
use Snapchat, or any of our other products

Privacy on Snapchat
— that’s why we treat your information
differently than most other tech companies.

Even though our products are constantly

Our Privacy Principles

evolving, our privacy principles remain
unchanged:

We communicate honestly and openly

You choose how to express yourself
We design with privacy in mind
You control your information

To learn more on how we make your privacy

a top priority, check out our Privacy Center,
where you will find more details on our
privacy principles, our privacy policy and
if you are looking for a summary of the key
issues, please review Your Privacy, Explained.
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4 8
Staying Safe on Snapchat
Keep it Between Friends: Snapchat was Report Abuse on Snapchat: You can always
made for keeping in touch with your close friends. report abuse on Snapchat, including harassment,
We recommend that you only friend or accept friend bullying, or any other safety concern. If someone is

Helpful Safety Tips

requests from people that you know in real life. Remind making you uncomfortable, you can also block that
your teens that it’s not safe to meet up with a person Snapchatter and leave any group chat. To report, press
they meet online! and hold on a Snap or Story and select tap “Report
Snap” button.

5 Check Your Privacy Settings: Choose who

can send you Snaps, view your Stories, or see your 9 Difference Between Removing and
location on Snap Map in your settings. By default, Blocking Friends: When you remove someone
Snapchat is a place to connect and communicate with 1 Choose a Strong Password: Select a only your Friends can contact you directly or from your Friends list, they won’t be able to view any of
friends and loved ones, but it’s also important to know password that’s at least 8 characters long, and view your Story.
how to stay safe. We recommend checking out our your private Stories, but they’ll still be able to view any
don’t include personal information, like your name,
Safety Center to learn more about Our Policies, Our content you have set to public. Depending on
username, phone number, or birthday. Include a mix of
Team, and information for Parents and Educators. Keep numbers, symbols, and capital and lowercase letters in 6 Customize Your Location on the Map: your privacy settings, they may also still be able to
Chat or Snap you. When you block a friend, they won’t
in mind, Snapchat is for ages 13+. your password. Don’t share your password with others, You can choose to share your location with all your
be able to view your Story, send you Snaps, or send
and don’t use the same password for other apps friends you’ve added back, just a group of select
We also offer in-app support for Snapchatters who may you Chats.
or websites. friends, or you can even turn on Ghost Mode when you
be experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, or want to go off the grid. The Snap Map only updates
who may be curious to learn more about these issues your location when you’re using the app, and only
and how they can help friends dealing with them. Our 2 Verify Your Email and Mobile Number: shares your location with the people you select to
Here For You tool provides safety resources developed Verify that the email address and mobile number share it with!
with experts when Snapchatters search for certain associated with your account are accurate in
topics, including those related to anxiety, depression, Snapchat settings.
stress, grief, suicidal thoughts, and bullying. 7 Change Who Can View My Story: The
default privacy setting is that only Snapchatters you’ve
Here are some tips to stay safe on Snapchat! 👻
3 Set up Two-Factor Authentication: This is added can view your Story. The privacy settings you
an optional security feature to verify that it’s really you have when you post a Snap to your Story will remain
when you log into your Snapchat account! This makes for that Snap, even if you change the settings later.
your account more secure. Learn more here.
 9

Headspace Mini: Headspace

Keeping You in Mind
In 2017 we launched in-app crisis resources for
and Snap are partnering to give members of our community. This intervention appears
Snapchatters access to guided as a message from Snapchat Support.
Our Law Enforcement Operations team will proactively

Wellness Resources
meditations and mindfulness
practices, directly in-app. Through reach out to law enforcement when we believe, in
the Headspace Mini, Snapchatters good faith, an imminent threat to life exists. Snapchat
will be empowered to do is not a professional mental health intervention
meditation exercises with friends resource. If a friend or loved one is in danger, utilize
and send encouraging messages emergency services such as, the Suicide Prevention
to positively boost friends in need. Hotline, Crisis Textline, or call 911.
Note, this feature is only available
Snap is deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing Crisis Text Line: We partner with Crisis Text Line, in select countries. Safety Snapshot Discover Channel:
of its community. We employ teams, technologies, which allows Snapchatters who live in the US to chat Encourage your teen to subscribe to Safety Snapshot,
policies, and partnerships to keep our Snapchatters with a live, trained crisis counselor for free and is
safe, healthy, and informed. Here For You: A tool in Search that houses which is a Discover show focused on educating
available 24/7. Just text KIND to 741741, or search Crisis localized resources and content from professional non- Snapchatters about digital security and important
Text Line in-app! If you are outside the US, check out profit organizations that’s shown when people type ways to keep your Snapchat account secure! Note, this
We work with industry experts and non-governmental our Safety Resources for more information. channel is only available in select countries.
agencies to provide resources and support to in words associated with being in crisis. The Search
Snapchatters in need. For a full list of our Safety topics include depression, anxiety, grieving, bullying,
Partners, visit our Safety Partners. body positivity, LGBTQ mental health, and more. Resource Page: Check out our Safety Center, for
a full list of safety partners and resources for you and
Snapchat provides resources and wellbeing features In-App Reporting: Our in-app reporting tool allow your teen!
in-app to help support your teens, whether they are Snapchatters to anonymously alert us when they worry
seeking emotional support or simply just want to chat! their friends are at risk for self-harm. We also share Tap and hold
Our wellbeing features are designed to educate and resources to both the person alerting Snap to the in-app to scan
empower members of the Snapchat community to situation and the person receiving the in-app support
support friends who may be experiencing their own to a Support Site page that has self-harm and crisis
struggle with mental health! hotlines resources in over 20 countries and languages.
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How to Talk to Your Teens

How can I make sure only my Friends are seeing If you are, make sure to talk to your teen and
what I post? potentially seek help from a professional or check
What’s your favorite Snap Game? out our Here For You tool. For any urgent moments
of crisis, be sure they know that Crisis Text Line

Conversation Starters
is available 24/7 by texting KIND to 741741. We’ve
Recognizing a Concern: partnered directly with them to ensure the Snapchat
community has free, confidential support from their
It’s important to know what behaviors you should trained Crisis Counselors.
keep an eye out for in your teen. These behaviors
might indicate that your teen is having trouble online
and might need some extra support from you, a
We know it’s important to be able to communicate Here are some fun questions to ask to get counselor, or another adult. Are you noticing any of
with your teen about using Snapchat. That’s why we the following?
partnered with experts from MindUP, Crisis Text Line,
the conversation flowing:
and Snap Parents to come up with some conversation Difference in personality (increased anxiety, fear,
starters on how to connect with your teen over Snap, Can I see what your Bitmoji looks like?
or anger)
recognize potential concerning behavior, and how to Do you want to create a family private story or
practice wellness within the app! group chat for us? Avoiding conversations about technology
What filter do you use the most? Avoiding using their phone or laptop
Get Involved Which Discover show is your favorite? Which Withdrawing from friends and family Practicing Wellness:
ones will I like? Change in school behavior (lower grades, poor
Creating your own Snapchat account can help you attendance, falling asleep in class) Snapchat’s designed so that people can only see
How do best friends on Snapchat work?
understand the app and better connect with your teen. the things you want to share, for as long as you want
Pro Tip: Have your teen teach you about using your Who is your longest Snapstreak? Self-harming ideations
to share them. We also develop new products and
new Snapchat! Can I save a Snap? Where does it go if I save it? features using our safety-by-design approach and
How do I go into Ghost Mode on the Snap Map? helping our community access preventative wellbeing
What’s your favorite tab of the app? tools and resources when they or their friends are
experiencing a mental health crisis.
 11

“
Here are some ways to check in with After talking with your teen: Agree together on a time block throughout each
your teen: day that includes a social media or phone “break”
Now that you and your teen are pros at communicating Talk openly about online risks and concerns,
Do you ever use Headspace to meditate?
Research has found meditation, or practicing
We all have the ability about Snapchat, it’s a good idea to set some
agreements for the future and to make sure you are
providing them with practical things they
can do to deal with risks online, like blocking
mindful awareness, can reduce stress and to bring more joy and continually having these conversations! Even creating and reporting
improve well-being
wellness to our lives by a social media contract can help keep privacy and trust
on both sides. By making these promises, it can help to Here are some key guidelines to help your teen stay
If you needed to report somebody’s Snapchat, do
you know how to? exercising positive mental facilitate trust between both parties. safe and well on social media:
Do you watch the Safety Snapshot Discover habits such as practicing
Channel dedicated towards safety? Here are some conversations starters for fostering Importance of keeping social posts to your close
Are you subscribed to Here For You? This can mindful awareness, healthy communication with your teen and supporting circle — only accepting friend requests from
be found by searching “Here For You” into your expressing gratitude, and their development of healthy screen and social media people you really know
habits: Always ask yourself: WWGS? (what would
search bar on Snapchat
Do you feel like you have somebody to talk to if
acting with kindness. Grandma say) before you post!
something is bothering you on Snapchat? - Molly Stewart Lawlor, PhD Create talking rituals; set aside time for talking and Don’t be a bystander — if you see something that
Do you know what resources are available to listening like over family meals makes you uncomfortable, report it!
support you on Snapchat? Involve your teen in conversation, asking Always act within the community guidelines
questions like, “what is your opinion on this?” and of kindness
How long do you spend in-app?
Do you ever feel overwhelmed when using the
app? What do you do after feeling this?
“ responding with openness to their ideas
Learn how to really listen by eliminating
distractions and maintaining eye contact
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Snapchat Glossary
My Eyes Only: This feature is found in Memories Snapcode: A Snapcode is special kind of image
and allows for a Snapchatter to move Snaps and that you can scan with Snapchat to do different things,
Stories saved in their Memories to their My Eyes Only like add new friends or unlock Filters and Lenses.
tab —which requires a passcode to view.
(A-Z) My Story: A series of Snaps that play in
Snap Map: See what’s happening, find your friends,
and get inspired to go on an adventure with this tab.
chronological order that friends can view for 24 hours. Location-sharing is off by default -- you decide if you
Camera: Where you send your friends Snaps, which Games and Snap Minis: Games are a fun way to You can choose the option to share to Everyone, My want to share your location with friends, or simply keep
are photos or videos! hang out with your friends on Snapchat! Snap Minis are Friends, or a Customized list of people. it to yourself with Ghost Mode.
bite-sized utilities tailor-made for friends, like planning
Chat: Send video, phone, or text chats with your a movie night or making a deck of flashcards. Our Story: A collection of Snaps submitted from Snap Stars: Creators (such as influencers and
real friends. different Snapchatters throughout the community. celebrities) who have a wide audience will have a gold
Ghost Mode: When enabled, your friends can’t see Snaps featured on Our Story are public content that star. You can subscribe to these Creators.
Creative Tools: After you create a Snap, you can your location on the Snap Map! can be shown on Snap Maps and even off platform.
add stickers, text, doodles and more. Spotlight: Discover the world of Snapchat in one
Lenses: Tap on a face to launch the Lens carousel. Private Story: Private Stories allow Snapchatters to place and see perspectives across our community in
Custom Story: Choose friends for your Custom Lenses add 3D effects, objects, characters, and create a Story that is only shared with a chosen select this entertainment platform
Story! Anyone who joins will be able to add to this transformations to your Snaps. amount of Friends.
Story and see other members. Streaks: Typically represented by a 🔥 emoji next to
Location Services: Snapchat uses your location Quick Add: Friend recommendations in Quick Add your Friend’s name in the Chats screen is a tally of how
Discover: Watch premium news & entertainment, for features like Filters, Search, Snap Map, Advertising are based on a few factors, like who you’re already many days the streak (ie. Snaps exchanged with each
including Snap Original’s and mainstream media. and more. If enabled, your location will update while friends with and who you subscribe to. other) has lasted. Snap Streaks are meant to be a fun,
you have Snapchat open. light-hearted way to recognize who you’re Snapping
with most!
Filters: Swipe right on a Snap, and Filter options will Search: Typing in Search will show you different
appear to add color effects, show venue info, feature Memories: A Snapchatter’s personal collection of things, so you can find what’s most relevant to you; like
your Bitmoji, show what you’re doing, and more. Snaps and Stories that are saved to your Memories. finding friends or checking out our Here For You tool.
 Snap Inc.

July 2021 Edition