Snapchat is an American multimedia instant messaging app where you can capture cool photos, chat with your loved ones, and share pictures and videos with amazing filters through this app. The app was developed by former students of Stanford University, Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown, and was launched in India on 29 October 2012. Just Like other social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc., Snapchat instantly became the talk of the town after its launch.
Currently, millions of people use this app daily and enjoy its features. However, there are also some risks of using this app which people may be unaware of. Hence, we have created this blog, compiling six risks of using Snapchat. So stay connected to find out the risks of this app.
- Cyber Bullying
Cyberbullying is a situation where someone uses technology to harass, threaten, and embarrass others. The messages dropped on a Snapchat account get erased shortly; hence, tracking users who are bullying you becomes difficult. Learning how to deactivate Snapchat can help you get rid of Cyberbullying. You can also block or delete other users for this. Kids are especially prone to cyberbullying on the app.
- SnapStreak Pressure
Snapchat streaks occur when you send at least one picture every 24 hours on the app. When you do the same consistently for three days, a flame icon appears next to your name on the Snapchat app. A number also appears next to the flame icon, showing how many days you have shared images. The streak has no other rewards but can pressure you to keep sharing snaps. This can lead to addiction to the app and can cost you precious time.
- Reveals your location
Snapchat uses real-time location tracking. As a result, when someone is using the app, their Snap Map constantly updates. Although after they close the app, Snap Map doesn’t update, the last tracked location remains visible for 24 hours. Using Snap Map, anyone can find your location, whether they are your friends or strangers. It can especially put children at risk of physical harm. If you want to hide your location, you can do so from the settings in the “My Live Location” section.
- Inappropriate content
While using social media platforms, encountering adult, horrifying, and other inappropriate content is common. The same happens when you use the Snapchat app. Although the app prohibits promoting, disturbing, or sharing brutality content, you may still find some of it. Children are endangered by such content in the app. If you want to restrict such content, you can do so from the “Family Centre” section in the profile settings.
- Strangers are Predators
As mentioned above, this app allows you to connect with loved ones as well as unknowns. This means strangers can also connect with you. They can send Snaps or messages to you, which everybody doesn’t like. Strangers kids because they can entice kids to share private information. The disappearing messages feature helps them not to get caught while doing such things.
- Safety of posts
As we all know, Snapchat posts last for 30 days and disappear after that. However, nothing uploaded to the internet is deleted, which means your posts uploaded to the app will remain forever. In this situation, Snapchat may share these posts anywhere, with the hope of letting you know about them. However, the app does ensure that Snaps, Chats, voice and video calls, etc., remain private.
Way Forward
Snapchat is a popular app that allows users to share photos and message others. The app may have great features, but it also has some harm. Users of this app may face problems like cyberbullying. Kids are especially in danger when using this app. The app also has features to withstand these risks. Hence, it’s totally up to you whether to use this app or not. We hope this blog shares valuable information with you. Comment in the section below and let us know which country you use Snapchat in.
