Snapchat

Snapchat

Snapchat logo with a yellow background and a white ghost outline.

Why Use Snapchat?
Snapchat lets you share fun moments with friends through Snaps, Stories, and filters. It’s a creative way to stay connected, but it’s also important to use it safely and protect your privacy.

Minimum Age: 13+

A teen influencer shares how they stay connected using Snapchat and how they keep it safe. They explain why it’s smart to use privacy settings, limit who can find you, and report anything that feels wrong. Maybe they have screen recordings of their account showing how they’re on ghost mode, and what other privacy settings they have turned on and why!

Influencer Video

Snapchat Checklist:

  • Have you checked your privacy settings to control who can send you Snaps, view your Story, or see you in Quick Add?

  • Only accept requests from people you know in real life. Random adds could lead to grooming, sextortion, or other risks.

  • Have you chosen who can see your location? Make sure it’s only people you trust or turn on Ghost Mode so no one can see it at all.

  • Are you showing up in Quick Add or letting others find you by phone number? Adjust these settings to stay in control of who can reach you.

  • Even if Snaps disappear, others can screenshot or record them—your digital footprint still matters.

  • Snapchat gives you tools to stay safe. Are you ready to use them if someone crosses a line?

  • Stay informed about best practices for online safety. Regularly review Snapchat’s safety resources and updates to ensure you're using the platform responsibly!

Snapchat is for users 13 and up, but it’s important that your account is yours, not shared with a friend or sibling.

To create an account:

  1. Download Snapchat from the App Store or Play Store

  2. Open it and tap Sign Up

  3. Add your real birthdate so your settings are age-appropriate

  4. Create a unique username and strong password

  5. Add your email or phone number (for recovery)

Use your own password and keep it private. This helps protect your account from phishing, data breaches, or someone using your account without your permission.

Setting up your Snapchat Account

Why should I make my own account?

Having your own account means you’re in control of your settings, messages, and who can contact you. If you share an account or password, others could change things or get you into trouble. Using your real age also helps Snapchat apply the right privacy settings. It’s the best way to stay safe and avoid problems like sextortion, or being contacted by online predators.

A stylized illustration of a person holding a sign that reads "Privacy Settings." The person is dressed in a yellow top and green patterned pants, with one hand raised in a waving gesture and the other holding the sign.

Snapchat gives you tools to decide who can contact you, see your location, and find you. Taking time to check your settings makes a big difference in staying safe.

You can review these by tapping your profile icon, and then the ⚙️ settings icon. You’ll see many options, but scroll down to Privacy Controls where you can adjust who can see the following…

  • Snap Map can show your real-time location to all of your friends, or you can choose to turn it off completely, or select specific friends who can see it.

    We recommend turning on Ghost Mode or choosing “Only These Friends” and selecting people you know really well.

    Why? Sharing your location widely can lead to safety risks, especially if someone you don’t know sees where you are. It's safest to limit this to people you trust or keep it private.

  • Choose who can see your daily Snaps posted to your Story. The options include: Everyone, My Friends, or Custom.

    We recommend using Custom, allowing you to pick trusted friends only to view your story.

    Why? Stories can include where you are, who you’re with, or things about your life. Keeping it private helps avoid oversharing or giving too much info to strangers.

  • This controls who can send you Snaps and chats: Everyone or My Friends.

    We recommend choosing My Friends only.

    Why? If set to “Everyone,” anyone can message you, including people you don’t know. This opens the door to grooming, sextortion, or unwanted DMs.

  • This includes “Quick Add” and other suggestions Snapchat uses to help people find you.

    We recommend turning it off so strangers can’t find you easily.

    Why? If this is on, you might show up in suggestions for people you don’t know, including online predators.

  • This shows when you were last active on Snapchat

    We recommend turning this off to avoid being constantly visible to others.

    Why? People could use this to track when you’re online, which can add pressure or lead to uncomfortable interactions.

  • This controls who can reply to your Spotlight or Public Story posts.

    We don’t recommend posting publicly, but if you do, we recommend turning comments off.

    Why? Public posts can attract random comments, including bullying or inappropriate replies.

Dealing with Unwanted Messages

A cartoon illustration of a person wearing a yellow hoodie, black shorts, orange and white socks, and yellow rain boots, giving two thumbs up.

Sometimes, people might send messages or Snaps that make you feel uncomfortable, pressured, or unsafe. These could be strangers or even people you know. Some teens in Ghana have reported receiving things like unwanted messages, pressure to share photos, or even requests for naked images.

Snapchat gives you tools to protect yourself, and it’s important to trust your instincts. If a message feels uncomfortable, too personal, or makes you feel pressured in any way, you can report or block that person right away.

  • It protects you from being contacted again

  • It helps Snapchat remove harmful or unsafe users

  • It helps prevent situations like grooming, sextortion, or contact from online predators

  • You stay in control of your space and your experience online

Reporting or blocking isn't rude, it's smart!

Why should you Report or Block?

  1. Press and hold the chat or Snap

  2. Tap Report

  3. Choose why you’re reporting it (e.g., it’s inappropriate, makes you uncomfortable, or is unsafe)

  4. Follow the on-screen steps

Snapchat may ask for more details, but your identity is kept private when you report something.

How to Report a Message on Snapchat

Keep your conversations on Snapchat

Snapchat has tools like privacy settings, blocking, and reporting designed to help keep you safe.

That’s why it’s best to keep conversations, especially with new friends, on the app. Don’t share your phone number or move chats to other platforms, where it may be harder to block or report someone if things go wrong. Staying on Snapchat helps you stay in control.

  1. Press and hold the user’s name

  2. Tap Manage Friendship

  3. Select Block

Blocking means the person can’t contact you, view your Stories, or see your location.

How to Block Someone

What Happens After Reporting or Blocking?

  • The person won’t know that you’ve blocked or reported them

  • Snapchat’s AI and safety team reviews reports and takes action if the person has broken the rules

  • You won’t receive more messages from that account

  • Snapchat might ask for more info if needed, but your privacy stays protected

Need More Help?

If you’re facing something more serious, like:

  • Being contacted by an online predator

  • Someone trying to groom you

  • You’ve shared CSAM

  • You’re a victim of sextortion

Visit our Reporting & Support Portal for help and next steps.

Read our other App Guides