According to Snapchat, the new rules include significant changes to how content is shared and displayed for users under the age of 18. The goal is to limit access to their personal information and online activities by people who are not relevant to them.
The company has introduced special restrictions for users aged 13 to 15. Under the new system, their Spotlight posts will only be visible to people they personally follow. Previously, in some cases, their content could reach a broader audience, but the updated policy keeps their activities within a more controlled and secure environment.
In addition, Snapchat has launched a separate profile view for users under 16. Their Stories and other activities will now only be visible to mutual friends. The company has also removed likes and other popularity metrics from these accounts to reduce the pressure on young users to seek social media popularity.
Snapchat said that users aged 16 to 18 will have relatively more freedom, although additional safety measures will still apply. These users will be able to share Spotlight content publicly, but its reach will remain limited to reduce the chances of unwanted interactions.
The company has also enhanced its Family Center feature for parents. With the latest update, parents will be able to see how much time their children spend on different features such as Stories and Spotlight. The aim is to give parents better insight into their children s online activities so they can provide guidance when needed.
According to Snapchat, the platform already has several safety measures in place that prevent strangers from sending unsolicited messages or friend requests to younger users. If a teen attempts to contact an unknown person, the platform displays a cautionary warning.
The company stated that protecting young people in the digital age has become an increasingly important issue, which is why it continues to introduce measures to make the platform safer. Social media companies worldwide are facing growing pressure to improve protections for underage users, leading many platforms to adopt new safety policies.
Meanwhile, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said in a recent interview that Snapchat promotes connections between real friends rather than relying on algorithms to show content from strangers. According to him, the platform’s primary purpose is to help users stay connected with people they know.
These new measures are expected to play an important role in improving online safety for younger users, and other social media platforms may follow with similar policies in the future.
