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In a bid to fortify the online safety of teenagers, Snap Inc. has introduced a range of new features on its popular social media platform, Snapchat. These enhancements, set to be rolled out in the coming weeks, are specifically tailored to protect the online experiences of 13-17-year-olds and encompass several key objectives: safeguarding them from unsolicited contact, ensuring age-appropriate content, and strengthening measures against accounts promoting age-inappropriate material through advanced detection technologies and a new strike system.
Shielding Teens from Unwanted Contact
Snapchat’s commitment to fostering a secure online environment for teenagers is evident in the following features:
In-App Warnings
A groundbreaking addition to Snapchat’s arsenal of safety measures is the introduction of in-app warnings. This feature triggers a pop-up notification whenever someone attempts to add a teenager as a friend without any shared mutual contacts or an existing contact in their phone book. The warning serves as a valuable prompt for teens to consider whether they should engage with this person and advises against connecting if trust is lacking.
Stronger Friending Protections
Snapchat raises the bar for 13-to-17-year-olds by implementing stronger friending protections. This feature necessitates a higher number of mutual friends before individuals can appear in search results for teenagers. The overarching goal is to reduce the likelihood of teenagers connecting with individuals who are not already part of their trusted friend network.
Stricter Measures Against Age-Inappropriate Content
Snapchat’s resolve to curate age-appropriate content is reinforced by the introduction of a new Strike System. This system is designed to combat the promotion of age-inappropriate content on public content platforms within Snapchat. In cases where inappropriate content is proactively detected or reported, it will be promptly removed. Accounts that persistently attempt to bypass these rules will face bans as a consequence.
Speaking about these new features, Uthara Ganesh, Head Public Policy-South Asia at Snap Inc., emphasized, “Our latest features are thoughtful in-app additions that are designed to empower teens to make smarter choices and openly discuss the importance of staying safe online.”
These proactive steps by Snap Inc. underscore the company’s commitment to fostering a safe and secure online environment for teenagers, ensuring that their experiences on Snapchat remain enjoyable and risk-free.