Snapchat has become one of the most buzzed and controversial social media apps available. Teenagers can’t get enough of it. Investors love it. Parents fear it. Hackers are having fun with it.
One major concern with Snapchat is ‘sexting’ and how Snapchat’s users, mainly those who are below the age of eighteen, use the app. According to a study conducted from market research firm Survata in February 2013, it was found that mobile phone users are more likely to use MMS for sexting, rather than Snapchat. Sexting can glamorize and normalize sex in a way that might cause some teenagers to start having sex earlier, or in unhealthy ways. And legally, sexting can possibly be considered sexual harassment--or worse, distributing pornography.
Some teens assume that because video and photo texts or "Snaps" as they are called, disappear in just a few seconds the app is totally harmless. However, photos can be saved as screenshots. This is worrisome for parents because they have no control over what comes across their teenager's screen at any given moment. It also could become fodder for future cyber bullying.
However, SnapChat does has ADVANTAGES:
1.
2. SnapChat seems kind of trivial. You can send picture or video messages to a friend that will self-destruct a few seconds after they're received.
3. An article in The New Yorker makes the point of underlining the benefits of the possible freedom of Snapchat, without the looming worry of being tagged on Facebook. There is an unwritten rule among friends: don’t screenshot and post! I’ve heard rumors there is a way to screenshot without the sender being notified. If this is true, we should all be afraid.
On 1st July 2015, marks a pretty big change for Snapchat — you no longer have to press and hold the screen to view a Snap or Story — instead, simply Tap to View!
Source:
http://nationalave.com/2014/05/09/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-snapchat-update/
http://familyshare.com/10-things-parents-and-kids-should-know-about-the-snapchat-app
Author: Koh Ai Ling (B1401655)
