As you probably already know, Snapchat is one of the most popular visual messaging services (more than 850 million people use it every month!). Still, for parents who grew up sending emails instead of Snap, figuring out how to help their kids stay safe online can be a daunting task.
Luckily, the Family Center within the Snapchat app can help. Family Hub is a hub with tools and resources that give parents an inside look at their teen’s Snapchat activity — and no, it’s not snooping. In order to use it, both teens and parents must agree to link their accounts.
For example, parents can see who their children are friends with on Snapchat and who they have recently chatted with. Parents can also set content controls, disable conversations with My AI, and view some of their child’s settings with the Family Center to help families have informed conversations about the options that are best for them.
Now, let’s take a look at what’s new: Snapchat’s Family Hub is getting an upgrade with a new location sharing feature to make it easier for families to stay connected while on the go. With the tap of a button in Family Center, parents can easily ask their children to share their location and vice versa, helping everyone stay aware of each other’s whereabouts.
But wait, there’s more! Travel notifications will soon be available on Snapchat. Families who opt in can set notifications for when their children arrive or leave up to three specific locations. This is a helpful reminder for all the teens’ comings and goings, and parents will no longer have to constantly text: “Hey, did you make it to practice?” or “Are you on your way home?” The app The program handles these questions for you, making sure you’re informed.
By default, location sharing on Snapchat is always off, and the app doesn’t allow users to share their location with anyone who isn’t their friends. (That means strangers can’t track their whereabouts.) For teens who share their location with friends, Snapchat will soon also increase the visibility of location sharing options in Family Center. This means parents can see which friends their children have shared their location with on Snap Maps.
Snapchat users who share their location with all their friends will also start seeing more safety alerts pop up when adding new people to their friends list, especially if that person may not be part of their real-world circles. Who doesn’t love a gentle nudge?
Snapchat’s Family Center update is a win-win for parents and teens. They give parents insight into their teens’ online activities without infringing on the space they need to grow and connect with their peers. By promoting safety, encouraging open communication, and providing new ways for families to stay connected, Snapchat is helping create a healthier and safer digital environment. Families can have peace of mind while maintaining trust, transparency and connection in their relationships.
