When your kids start using Snapchat, the question of how old do you have to be to have Snapchat naturally occurs in your mind. After all, you want to protect your child against the harmful content they might get exposed to on any new platform. As a parent, you want the best for your kid. So even if they are old enough to use Snapchat, that might not be reassuring enough for you. You might still be concerned about their safety and considering not letting them on the application.
So in this article, we answer the question of how old do you have to be to have Snapchat for the concerned parents.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get Snapchat?
Unlike other social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, Snap has a lower age limit for anyone joining the platform. To join Snapchat, an individual must be at least 13 years old. So if your teenager is talking about being active on the platform, you can reassure yourself that their being there is not illegal.
Snapchat itself restricts certain features from its younger users, so your child’s safety on the platform is considered. So while users can join the platform after they turn 13, they still won’t be able to make any payments from the app until they are 18.
Is Snapchat Safe For Kids?
Snapchat is as safe as any other social media platform your children use. But you can have a chat with your kids and discuss internet safety with them. Let them know that it is safe to use when you are connecting with your friends and having fun, but also give them a lesson in ‘Stranger Danger.’
Reasons To Let Your Kid Get Snapchat
While most of you might think that all social media is the same at the end of the day, Snapchat has its own plus points. Here are some reasons Snapchat is a better social media platform than others for your children.
Selective Content
Snapchat’s algorithm provides users with content they have previously shown interest in. So depending on the type of content your child wants to view, they will get to see that type of content. This also means it is easier for parents to monitor their kids and keep an eye on the type of content they are consuming.
Fleeting Media
Snapchat messages and Snaps with pictures or videos in them don’t permanently stay in the chat inbox, making them safer. The fleeting media makes it harder for anyone with bad intentions to return to the picture later.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that they cannot save or screenshot the picture or text. So while you are having a conversation with your child about internet safety, make sure you are warning them about the kind of content they are sharing with friends and connections.
Secured Communities
On Snapchat, you either need a user’s phone number or name to find them and send them a message. So it is harder for strangers to find your kid’s profile and send them unsolicited messages unless they find that information.
Your kid’s safety is as important as their freedom. So if you are wondering how old do you have to be to have Snapchat, the official age for a Snapchat user is 13. But if you feel the need to monitor your child’s social media activity, you can go through the app’s privacy settings and secure their profile even further.