Snapchat has always been in the talks for its filters, streaks, disappearing messages, and screenshot notifications. But lately, the app has been scrutinized for how it is being used and whether it actually offers the promised privacy.
It is true that the app notifies you if someone takes a screenshot, records the screen, or saves a snap, but the question is whether this is actually privacy or the app is just conditioning the younger generation this way. There are still many ways scammers and predators can access private information and misuse it. Children may not understand the consequences; however, parents recognize this and seek ways to monitor their children so they can guide and protect them before the issue becomes difficult to manage.
In this article, we’ll explore why monitoring is essential and which Snapchat tracking apps parents can use to monitor their children’s activity. The apps discussed are taken directly from this list, and now we are breaking them down in more detail. Let’s see how they fit your requirements.
Why Snapchat Monitoring Is Important for Parents
According to the latest survey, the app has reached 460 million daily active users, with 75% in the 13–24 age bracket. The daily active users also include many accounts from children under 13. Typically, teens and tweens place too little emphasis on privacy and are willing to share their private information on Snapchat. At that time, it may seem harmless; however, the media can later be misused. Here, monitoring becomes necessary. Additionally, there are many reasons parents should be aware of their children’s Snapchat activity.
Exposure to inappropriate content
Snapchat has limited masking options for adult content. For example, you can share anything in the photos and videos you post in the chats. Even the Discover section and stories shared can have somewhat inappropriate content that can be harmful to your child’s mental health. Since messages disappear within 24 hours, there is much room for children to hide problematic conversations.
Online predators and unsolicited contacts
Because of disappearing messages and an illusion of privacy, Snapchat is a popular platform for individuals who want to hide their true intentions. Many predators and pedophiles keep a lookout for naive children and get the pictures and videos to exploit them. They pose as friends and well-wishers, and it becomes difficult for children to understand. With monitoring, you can understand their true intentions and guide your children more adequately.
Cyberbullying and peer pressure
Snapchat’s private messaging and group chats can become spaces for cyberbullying. Usually, classmates or even friends form groups and single out specific individuals, either making fun of them or leaving them out of meaningful conversations. This can affect children in drastic ways. When evidence disappears, victims may struggle to prove what’s happening or to seek help.
Screen time and addictive usage patterns
The average Snapchat screen time for users is 30 minutes; however, depending on your child, their time can exceed that. Usually, streaks and notifications keep teens engaged, but if they enjoy befriending strangers, their screen time will be more. Just by monitoring how much time they spend in the app, you can determine whether it is dangerous.
Talking to Your Child about Snapchat Monitoring
Monitoring your child’s social media use is not as easy as one may think. Tweens and teens don’t like to be intruded upon, even by their parents. The best approach for parents is to first speak with their children and get them on side for monitoring their own social media use, then choose the app they want to use for monitoring.
Taking it step by step, start by explaining the problems that can occur in the app. Explain that you want your child to be able to keep in touch with their friends, but you have some concerns about how the app can be used for bad as well as good. Discuss pros and cons of Snapchat with your child and get their perspective and ideas on how to avoid predators, bullies, inappropriate content, and too much screen time. Avoid insinuating they are naive or easy targets; simply state these are precautions and that you trust their judgment.
Be open and clear about everything, and rather than going for metaphors, state everything clearly. Share the specific risks you’re concerned about, like talking to strangers and their intentions, or harmful content, bullying, etc. Explain that, just as we have rules and cautions in place for safety in daily life, we also have rules and cautions in safe for our virtual lives. Then bring up reasons for monitoring and how you can work together to monitor their social media usage and keep them safe.
Also, ask your child for their opinion on using Snapchat monitoring apps and understand their concerns. Ensure they are comfortable and have a mutual understanding. This approach builds trust and helps children understand responsible use of Snapchat. It helps them learn to take ownership of their own safety and responsibility for good app usage. While you monitor them, you can use the opportunity to teach them to recognize red flags and respect digital boundaries.
Top Parental Apps to Track Snapchat Activities
Once you and your children agree on monitoring terms, you need to choose the Snapchat monitoring app that best meets your needs. Here are the top 3 apps for you to get started.
“Xnspy”: A Reliable Option for Both iOS and Android
Xnspy is one of the most recognized Snapchat monitoring apps that tracks every activity in detail. It comes with many features that provide comprehensive details about phone usage, so parents can ensure that their children are using their phones in a responsible manner and are safe from various dangers on the internet.
In addition to Snapchat monitoring, Xnspy provides features like call and SMS logs, location tracking, social media tracking, internet browsing data, and more.
Xnspy is easy to install and operate. All you have to do is install the app once on your kid’s device. The app then hides itself and captures every activity in the background. Xnspy’s stealth mode ensures that the kid doesn’t remove the app or falsify their activities to mislead their parents. All the information is updated in Xnspy’s dashboard in real time, so you can act in time before the situation escalates.
For Snapchat monitoring, Xnspy offers several features. First, you can check how much time your child spends on Snapchat by checking the screen time feature. This feature will explain how much time they spend on the app and show the frequency of visits. With this data, you can understand if your child is addicted to the app or not.
Moving further, you can check the keylogger feature. Xnspy keylogger feature tracks every keystroke your child has made on Snapchat. You can view every text they have sent, the comments they have made on the posts, which friends they talk to the most, and what they are searching for. Xnspy even captures half-written texts.
In addition, you can use the keyword tracker feature. The Xnspy keywords tracker allows you to create a list of words that, when your child uses them, you get an alert. This can help you understand whether your child is engaging in inappropriate or adult conversation or getting bullied on the app.
If you want every single detail of the app, you can use Xnspy’s screen recording feature. This feature captures periodic screenshots of Snapchat activity, allowing you to see what’s happening inside the app. These screenshots are saved on the dashboard, so even when messages disappear, you can view all the messages, shared pictures, and videos.
Moreover, you can see the friends, content consumption patterns, stories, snaps they clicked, and their own profile settings. Xnspy saves these screenshots with timestamps, so you know when your child uses the app the most. With this data, you can protect your child from getting into a situation that can ruin their self-worth and confidence.
In case you feel that your child is using Snapchat too much and requires a strict action, Xnspy also provides the option to block the app remotely. You can go to the installed feature and toggle the blocking button.
Also, the app provides an option to lock the phone temporarily. These remote features can help you protect them from getting into trouble. Overall, Xnspy shows you every Snapchat activity so you know exactly if any further action should be taken. You can use this data to teach children how to responsibly use the phone.
“FamiSafe”: A Dedicated Solution for Social Apps
Next on the list of Snapchat tracking apps is FamiSafe, a widely known social especially for the detection of specific social apps. You know how you wish it were possible for you to just get an alert every time your child tries to install Snapchat on their phone, so it is easier for you to keep tabs on them. Well, with FamiSafe’s social app detection feature, doing so is now possible in real-time.
Add to that the screen time control features this monitoring app has to offer. What starts as immense concern for Snapchat addiction can quickly be put to rest by remotely scheduling downtime via FamiSafe. Moreover, you can view live ongoing Snapchat activities as well by setting custom intervals through the Screen Viewer app.
“Kaspersky”: Stay Aware and Set Limits Remotely
Last but not least in this list is the Kaspersky app. With this app in hand, remote controls become quite easy to execute. To help you get a hold on the activities of Snapchat, along with insights, this app comes with app controls through which you can set access limits on the use of Snapchat.
But how do you know if it is being overused? Well, for that purpose, the app usage reporting feature is present. Using this option, you can easily spot the usage patterns of Snapchat. When the usage spiked and how much time has your child spent on it altogether? All these insights help you see where the problem lies so you can fix it in a timely manner.
Does your teen use Snapchat? Do you have concerns about this app? Have you tried any parental apps to monitor their Snapchat usage?
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