5 Ways To Monitor Your Childs Snapchat

If you're the parent of a teenager, you probably know all about Snapchat. It's among the most popular social media platforms for young people, with more than 200 million daily active users. While it can be a great way to keep in touch with your kids and see what they're doing, it's also an unregulated platform that can be used in ways that might not be safe for children.
For example, there's no age requirement on Snapchat, and anyone as young as 13 can create an account. So, strangers could take advantage of it by sending inappropriate pictures or messages to your child without being identified by name (or face). Fortunately, you can use Snapchat spy apps and monitoring tools to stay on top of your child's activity on Snapchat, no matter their age. 
This guide will discuss ways to check your child's Snapchat activities and stay on top of their virtual engagements. So, read on to learn more.

1. Turn On Ghost Mode

One of the best features of Snapchat is Ghost Mode. It’s an option for users 13 years or older that hides their score, last time active, location, Snapcode, and username. When you activate Ghost Mode, no one will find you in the app. Thus, it's a great way to monitor your child’s account without them knowing. It lets you open their snaps and take screenshots or save images anonymously. It also allows you to view your child's posts without them knowing.

2. Understand Your Child's Snapchat Score

Your child's Snapchat score is the number at the top of their profile page that shows how many days in total they've been using the app and how many days in a row they've used it without missing a day. The longer they've been using Snapchat, the fewer missed days there will be and the higher their score will be. If you click on 'Snapchat History,' you'll see your child's activity within the past week (including snaps sent, time spent in chats with friends, etc.). 
Parents need to understand their child's Snapchat score. It helps them know how frequently their children use the app and what habits they've developed around using it. For example, if your child has a low Snapchat score (i.e., under 1000), it means that they don't spend much time on it and probably don't send snaps often or make many stories posts. On the other hand, if your teen has a high Snapchat score (i.e., over 2,000), this may mean they spend too much time on the platform and might be sending inappropriate messages or posting improper content others can see.

3. Talk To Your Child About Online Safety

There are several ways you can monitor your child's Snapchat activity. But, the most important thing is to begin a conversation with your child before they start using Snapchat. Doing so will allow them to ask questions and understand your concerns. They must know that sharing personal information online may not be safe, especially with a stranger or someone they don’t know in real life. 
Next, ask them if they've ever received any unwanted messages or friend requests from people they don't know. If so, explain the need for them to be careful. Describe how easy it is for strangers and cyberbullies to access personal information online through apps like Snapchat. If necessary, take them through online cybersecurity courses. This way, you can ensure that they are safe online.

4. Check their 'Snap Map' 

The 'Snap Map' feature is a map that shows where all of your friends are located in real-time. You can even zoom in on specific locations to see who is there and add them as friends if they aren't already one of your contacts. This tool can monitor your child's whereabouts at a specific time and social interactions with other users in real-time, making it easy for parents to know if their kids are putting themselves in danger. The most crucial benefit is the location part. It's needed when your child goes out at night or travels to a specific location beyond your knowledge. 

5. Monitor Who They Are Adding As Friends 

If you're concerned about your child's safety on Snapchat, one of the best ways to keep tabs on them is to monitor whom they're adding as friends. You can do this by requiring your child to add you as a friend when they first register for the app and then logging in from time to time to check out whom they're interacting with. You should also require them to tag you in their photos and videos. If your child doesn't want you to see these things, they may not be using Snapchat responsibly.

Conclusion

While monitoring your child’s Snapchat may sound like an intimidating task, it's a crucial parental control. The key is ensuring you have the right tools and knowledge of how Snapchat works. That way, you can track your kid's activity on the app. With these tips in mind, you can feel more confident about using these apps to help keep your child safe online.