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Snapchat is a social network that is gaining importance among young people and adolescents, but above all it is very little known to adults. What can users do in this digital community and what dangers can they be exposed to?
Snapchat offers an instant messaging service based on sending images and short videos, called "snaps". The innovator in front of other networks is that the "snapshots" sent only exist a few seconds from the moment the receiver visualizes them, to then be completely eliminated.
In addition, it is possible to add some filters, stickers and camera effects for photos, start conversations, video calls, view "stories", which remain for 24 hours, and more, to add to the experience.
In the basic functions of this mobile application, it is possible to distinguish certain characteristics that are not completely safe:
– The duration of messages: Although snapshots only last a few seconds, they must be taken with a backup, because there is a possibility that the person receiving the message makes a screen capture. Although the sender receives an informant notification, it happens when the catch has been made. For this reason, it is essential that young people become aware that nothing that is put on a network is really private, or even temporary.
– The possibility of referring to aliens: Taking into account this possibility and the previous functionality, in case the child counts among his contacts with someone he does not know at all, it can happen that he sends photos or videos with inappropriate content, and that these are deleted as quickly as any other file sent through the application, erase all the evidence of what happened.
– Terms of Use (available to any user in the Settings section): Snapchat states that "No one under the age of 13 has authorized to create an account or to use Services ". However, at no time is an age verification done so that a child who is not old enough can change his birth year and create his user.
The latter is not only important because of the application policies, but because of the age of each user, Snapchat will limit the type of ads that it will displayed. For example, alcoholic beverages will only be available for adults. It is essential to know if children under 13 years old actually have the application on their mobile phone, and to know if the birth date with which they created their profile, who are qualified to do so, coincides with the truth.
– Reward for user interaction: The application allows you to add points as you interact with other users. The more the application is used, the more points accumulate by getting trophies and recognitions. This fact "reward" can generate obsessions in children, and lead to spend excessive time to make use of it. Talking with them about the importance of limiting hours of network use is also part of creating a conscious use of what technology offers, without restricting it completely.
– Ability to show location: Users are encouraged to activate an identifier for each user, on a map, showing their friends where they are at each moment. And although only friends can see it, there will always be the possibility that some users may not be what they claim to be. It is therefore essential to know who these contacts are that minors have in the network and to check that they actually know each one of them.
In case of doubt, or that little ones do not completely know one of the contacts, Snapchat offers the ability to easily block users. In turn, it is possible to report or denounce specific clichés, so that, if something seems strange to receive an image or video, Snapchat provides a long list of reasons to justify the complaint, including harassment or hate speech, nude or sexual content, I am concerned that this user can hurt me, it is spam, and many more.
In terms of effectiveness in the form of control, the security company ESET, it is recommended to bet on the privacy settings. In the Who Can section, each user has the power to decide who can contact the user, see his or her stories or location, among others. Although minors do not always worry about this, as senior managers, it is advisable to help them configure their profiles to ensure their safety.
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