Colman Noctor: Everything parents need to know about their child's use of Snapchat

'Snapchat does not always accurately curtail or filter content to the user’s age. Not only are they vulnerable to viewing inappropriate content, they can also create and share such content on Spotlight'

Designed to reward daily interaction with friends, Snapstreak can pressure users to use the app frequently to keep streaks going. Pic: iStock

One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is about their children’s use of Snapchat. The multimedia messaging app has more than 800m monthly active users worldwide, with its engaging animation features particularly appealing to young audiences.

Users can send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after viewing. It’s famous for its Stories feature, which allows users to post pictures or videos that last for 24 hours, and Snaps, or short videos or photos only viewable once by the recipient.