Concerns Over Snapchat’s Content for Teens
A recent study suggests that Snapchat presents an alarming amount of inappropriate content to young users, particularly teens. Researchers found that when they created accounts for 13-year-olds, the app immediately recommended various violent, sexual, and drug-related content.
According to findings from Parentstogether Action and the Heat Initiative, a significant amount of harmful material surfaced within minutes of signing up. Researchers, posing as a 13-year-old user without adding contacts or real photos, noted that they encountered unsafe content almost instantly while browsing “Spotlight” and “Story” videos.
This “unsafe content” includes sexual themes, depictions of drug and alcohol use, and materials encouraging self-harm or depression, among other troubling topics. The researchers reported an astonishing 739 incidents of such dangerous content, with categories including 244 sexual videos and 257 involving drugs and alcohol. Examples included imagery of marijuana usage and more concerning topics like suicide discussions.
Some suggested content was even more explicit, such as discussions of sexual experiences by minors. Snapchat has reportedly also directed adult users towards businesses such as exotic dance costumes and lingerie modeling, which raises further concerns about the platform’s appropriateness for younger users.
Comments on some videos reflect a troubling trend, with many sexualizing minors and utilizing coded language, such as certain emojis linked to inappropriate themes.
In a segment aired by NBC’s “Today,” it was revealed that nearly half of American teens from 13 to 17 use Snapchat daily. Some interviewed teens mentioned the commonplace nature of viewing explicit content, describing it as “normal.” One male teenager conveyed that this type of content is prevalent everywhere, suggesting that exposure has influenced their perception of acceptable behavior.
Another girl, named Emma, shared that she frequently receives explicit photos from strangers. In response to the criticisms, Snapchat stated that young users’ accounts are set to private by default and they cannot connect with adult users without mutual contacts.
The company has pushed back against the recent report, claiming it doesn’t accurately represent the app’s safety for teens. Snapchat emphasized that a single feature can’t mitigate all risks and highlighted its ongoing efforts to enhance user safety in consultation with experts.
Brooke Istook, president of the Heat Initiative, criticized Snapchat’s algorithm, indicating it could jeopardize children’s safety almost immediately after joining. The statement also pointed to long-standing warnings from parents about the dangers children face on the platform, in light of past documented harms.
Shelby Knox, director of online safety at Parentstogether Action, described the findings as indicative of a systemic failure to protect kids on Snapchat.
Both organizations are urging Snapchat to take significant steps to create a safer user environment.
