“Snapchat Is the Most Common Platform Used by Groomers to Target Minors”

I’ve been using Snapchat since it was released, watching it evolve from a simple photo-sharing app with basic filters like bunny ears to a platform packed with features:

Snaps: Share photos or videos that disappear after being viewed.
Stories: Post Snaps that remain visible for 24 hours.
Chat: Send text, voice, and video messages that disappear after being read.
Snap Map: Share your location with friends or view theirs on a real-time map.
Memories: Save Snaps and Stories to view or share later.
Bitmoji: Create a customizable avatar to use as your profile icon and in Snaps.
Discover: Access content from brands, publishers, and influencers.
Lenses and Filters: Apply augmented reality (AR) effects and filters to photos or videos.
Spotlight: Browse user-generated videos in a TikTok-style feed.
Friend Emojis: Track different friend interactions with custom emojis.
My AI: Chat with an AI assistant to get advice, fun facts, and more.
Shazam Integration: Identify songs by holding down on the screen.
Snap Originals: Watch exclusive shows produced for Snapchat.
Games: Play multiplayer games with friends directly in chat.

Snapchat is hugely popular among teens and young adults, especially in high school and college. Many older teens have learned to navigate privacy settings and handle the risks posed by strangers on the app. They know to be cautious, viewing unfamiliar profiles with suspicion and using protective features.

However, younger children, especially those in middle school or younger, generally lack this level of digital maturity. This makes them vulnerable to grooming and exploitation on Snapchat, where predators can easily approach them. Recent reports show that children as young as five have been targeted on Snapchat, with law enforcement ranking it as a top app used to exploit kids. One alarming study reported 7,062 instances of Sexual Communication with a Child Offenses in 2023-2024 alone—an 89% increase since 2017-2018 and the highest recorded yet.

Snapchat can be fun and creative with its filters, memories, and group-friendly features, but it’s crucial to understand the risks. I appreciate hearing from parents who wait until high school to allow this app; by then, they can have informed discussions about handling inappropriate content or suspicious behavior. I often suggest that parents try using any social media app themselves for a few months first. This way, they can decide whether it aligns with their family values and set up guidelines accordingly.

~ Ryan