Amid growing concerns about online predators and scams, Snapchat has introduced new features specifically geared towards protecting its young users.One of the most impressive upgrades is the improved blocking function. In previous times, you could block specific contacts, but they could easily create new accounts and continue to harass you. If you block someone, any subsequent attempts to create new accounts on the same device will also be blocked automatically.Snapchat is becoming stricter with friend requests as well. The app will now block requests from suspicious accounts that don’t share mutual friends with you or show signs of scammy behavior. This means fewer creepy messages from strangers and more peace of mind.Snapchat is improving their control over location sharing. The Snap Map function, allowing you to share your current location with friends in real-time, has always had both positive and negative impacts. In order to increase safety, Snapchat has made it easier to customize who can view your location. The default setting is off, however you will receive more frequent notifications to monitor who has access to your location. This way, you can keep your location private and only share it with people you trust.The Snapchat in-app warning system has also been upgraded. These convenient pop-up alerts will now let you know if you get a message from someone who’s been blocked or reported by others, or from a region outside your usual friend network. This function will be available in various countries, such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Europe, with additional locations in the future.In order to address the issue of sextortion scams, Snapchat is using advanced signals to identify and prevent accounts that may engage in unethical behavior. This involves preventing friend requests from accounts known for scamming. Ensuring the safety of the community involves preventing harmful interactions.Uthara Ganesh, Head of Public Policy, South Asia at Snap, summed it up nicely. “Our newest safety features are all about supporting genuine friendships, empowering teens to make smart choices, and ensuring that every Snapchatter feels secure and confident while using our app.” These proactive measures come in response to both internal evaluations and external pressures. A recent Rolling Stone investigation pointed out how Snapchat has been used for dangerous interactions among teens. There was also a recent Bloomberg report highlighting predators targeting teens on the app, as well as distressing news of several teen suicidesThe company’s efforts to refine and expand its safety features show a strong commitment to addressing these issues.Back in 2022, Snap introduced a Family Center to help parents monitor their teens’ activity on the platform. However, only about 200,000 parents currently use these parental supervision controls, as noted by Snap CEO Evan Spiegel during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in January.If you liked this story, please follow us and subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
