Snapchat: Understanding Its Use Among Students for Educators

The new guide offers practical advice on helping teenagers manage online risks and navigate the internet safely. How do you support your teens' internet usage?

Snapchat: An Educational Tool for Safe Surfing

With millions of young people heading back to school, the popular social media platform Snapchat is stepping up as a digital education tool. The company aims to assist educators in understanding how teens use Snapchat and to increase awareness about the safety resources it offers.

A Guide for Educators

The “Educator’s Guide to Snapchat” provides detailed videos on features beneficial for schools and protective measures for youths. This guide equips educators with tools they can share with parents and counselors to help students navigate online safely, addressing dangers such as bullying, mental health issues, and sextortion. Snapchat also seeks feedback from educators on the app’s use within school communities.

An Online Safety Tool

In collaboration with Safe and Sound Schools, Snapchat has developed a toolkit to help educators stay engaged with their students. These tools provide essential information to support online safety and student well-being, focusing on how Snapchat operates.

The Importance of Education on Safe Usage of Snapchat

According to Snapchat, over 20 million American teens are users of the app. Schools nationwide have varied approaches to managing phone usage, with some requiring students to store their devices in pouches during class. Some states have even banned phones in classrooms or school grounds. While the effectiveness of a total ban remains debatable, the value of understanding how to safely use devices, apps, and the internet is unquestionable.