Snapchat adds content controls to protect underage users

Snapchat is adding new content control restrictions on its platform to guard underage users from being doxxed. Users between 13 and 15 years old will only be able to share Spotlight posts with people they follow back. The social network said that users under 16 years old will get a separate profile to show Stories and Spotlight posts to friends that they follow back.

The content for these users won’t show metrics, like favorite counts, that create pressure to rank up engagement. Until now, Snapchat has allowed this cohort of users to share Spotlight posts with everyone, though their posts aren’t attributed to their profiles, preventing other users from contacting them. Users aged 16 to 18 can still share Spotlight posts publicly, but their posts will be limited to friends, followers, and users with whom they share mutual friends.

Plus, parents can see how much time their kids spent on parts of the platform, like Stories and Spotlight, through the Family Center. The company currently prevents strangers from sending friend requests or messages to teenagers. The app shows a warning message to teen users if they start a chat with a stranger, and also restricts the type of content teenagers can see on the platform.

Social media platforms like Instagram have also moved to restrict experiences for teenage users in recent years, including introducing specialized accounts. Earlier this year, Snap settled a lawsuit that accused it of abetting social media addiction. It is fighting other, similar cases across the U.S.

In an interview with CNBC, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel cited some studies to say Snapchat has a “positive impact” on users as it connects them to friends, and that the service shouldn’t be lumped with the likes of TikTok and Instagram. Why this matters: Snapchat's new content controls reflect growing concerns about social media's impact on young users. By limiting sharing and removing engagement metrics, Snapchat aims to reduce pressure and potential harm.

This move may set a precedent for other platforms, which will likely face increased scrutiny from regulators, parents, and users. As social media companies navigate these issues, developers and businesses must consider the implications for their own platforms and practices. For consumers, particularly parents, this development highlights the importance of monitoring and guiding their children's online activities.

Open questions remain about the effectiveness of these measures and whether they will be enough to mitigate concerns around social media addiction and user safety.