The Dangers of Snapchat

“Mom! Look at the funny filters on my face.”

Statements like these are often made when a child has access to use the photo-sharing app, Snapchat. And I have to admit, it is kind of amusing how an app can scan your face and instantly turn it into a puppy dog. But deep down, there is something even darker in this app, and it is targeting today’s children and teens.

At this point, there is a plethora of social media sites posing deep dangers. And when it comes to children, these sites are a playground for predators. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are discussed regularly. But what about Snapchat?

As I mentioned before, there are a few fun, enticing reasons that kiddos gravitate toward the app. It has several different fun filters, and it is a quick and easy way to talk to friends through pictures. But, as Uncle Ben from Spiderman once said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Or as part of Luke 12:48 puts it, “to whom much is given, much shall be required.” 

And there is much responsibility when it comes to operating any social media account, and a disappearing photo-sharing app is no exception.

Snapchat was first created in 2011 by two Sanford University students. They thought that text messages didn’t allow individuals to convey enough emotion. So, they thought that they could create an app that allowed images to reach where words could not. But the creators had one big concern, or, as an article from Very Well Family puts it:

“They were also nervous that a quick snap of a cellphone camera showing a particular emotion might end up being inappropriate for a social media site where the picture could be posted for all the world to see. Thus, the concept of a time-limited photo-sharing application was born.”

Hmm… I wonder what they mean by inappropriate for social media. Oh, right, they mean naked images or “nudes” as the kids so commonly call them nowadays.

You see, the original name for the app was Picaboo, and it was designed so that individuals could send these specific types of images to others and not have to worry about them being stored or shared. In essence, they thought they’d created the safest way to get porn distributed around campus and hide it all under the guise of an app.

And may I just say, the sharing of these images didn’t stop because of a name change. As troubling as this may be, pornography is just one of the many dangerous reasons kids should steer clear of the app:

1. Through Snapchat, there is easy access to magazines containing material that isn’t child appropriate. For example, with just a few clicks, young users can find stories on how to get an abortion (and hide it from parents).
2. Most users also operate friendships based on how long their “streak” is. Meaning, that as long as someone sends you an image within a 24-hour period, even if that image is of the floor, you’ll get a day added to your streak. Often, when streaks are lost, so are the “friendships.” This creates the constant pressure of keeping “friends” entertained and responsive in any way possible.
3. Plus, constant usage adds to a vanity complex. I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. If someone is taking pictures of themselves all day every day, what’s to be expected?

I don’t know why, but this issue always makes me think of the children’s song “O Be Careful, Little Eyes.” With all my being, I firmly believe that little eyes should be protected at all costs. And one way to protect the eyes of our children is by monitoring what apps they use – starting with Snapchat.

O be careful, little eyes, what you see.
O be careful, little eyes, what you see.
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love.
So, be careful, little eyes. what you see.