Snapchat announced Tuesday a new set of safety features, including account blocking and enhanced friending safeguards, making it more difficult for strangers to contact users. Predators exploit teens on social media apps, which often results in severe incidents such as sextortion.
One update improves blocking tools. If someone is already blocked on Snapchat using another account from the same device, new friend requests will also be blocked. Frequent reminders tell teens which friends see their location on Snap Maps. Location sharing is easier to customize too.
Snapchat also expanded warning pop-ups. Teens now get alerts if adding someone with no mutual friends or outside their contact list. They’ll see another if receiving chats from blocked or reported users in unusual regions. This helps first in the US, UK, Canada and others.
An extra security measure stops friend requests if teens message strangers without connections in risky scam areas. Snapchat is launching localized versions of these features in countries like India too.
“Our newest features support real friendships while keeping teens safe,” said Uthara Ganesh from Snap. As Snapchat grows popular amongst youth, these changes aim to curb manipulation from online bad actors. Parents can now better protect children on the popular social platform.
