§ Product Launch
Snap launched its Family Center in August 2022, providing parents with tools to see who their teenagers are friends with on Snapchat and who they have been
Snapchat is giving parents a new window into their teens’ digital lives with the launch of its Family Center. The new feature, which began rolling out in August 2022, aims to strike a balance between privacy and safety. It allows parents to see who their children are friends with and who they have been communicating with over the past seven days, without revealing the content of those conversations. This approach is designed to mimic real world parenting, fostering trust while still providing oversight.
The Family Center is a free, opt in tool, meaning both parents and teens must agree to use it. If parents have a concern, they can confidentially report accounts directly through the hub. For social media platforms, finding a middle ground on privacy is a continuous challenge. Snap’s latest effort is a significant step, offering a tool that helps parents open up a dialogue about online safety and responsible social media use, rather than simply monitoring their every move. It’s a proactive measure that could set a new standard for how platforms support families in navigating the complexities of the digital world.
