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Safety Snap

Snapchat issues kids social safety guide – stating that Grandma may one day see that 'embarrassing' naked selfie

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

February 23, 2015 | 2 min read

Expiring-image messaging app Snapchat has released a safety guide for parents to reassure them that the app has moved beyond its ‘sexting’ roots and is indeed safe for children – if it is used responsibly.

In a social safety guide launched today (Monday 23 February), the app reminded parents that kids under 13 shouldn’t use the app, although it suggested the use of SnapKidz, its special mode for children under that age.

On the naked selfies that land users in trouble every so often, the report said: “It never hurts to remind kids never to snap photos that are illegal, could get them in trouble now or in the future, or would be embarrassing if seen by people like grandparents, future love interests or college admissions officers.

“Of course parents worry about sexting – kids sending nude or sexually explicit pictures of themselves on social media – but it’s not nearly as common as some media reports have suggested. In fact, research shows it’s pretty rare among younger teens. Still, sexting certainly can happen and teens need to know what the implications of sexting are.”

The guidelines also warned that although the Snaps expire, there are many means at users’ disposal to save pictures such as taking a screen-shot, using an external cameras and through hacking.

To create a safer Snapchat experience for all users the firm has teamed up with the likes of the UK Safer Internet Center.

Check out the full report here.

Safety Snap

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