Snapchat is adding new content control restrictions to better protect younger users from being exposed to unwanted attention or doxxing on the platform.
Under the new rules, users between 13 and 15 years old will only be able to share Spotlight posts with people they follow back. This means their short-form video posts will no longer be available to a wider audience in the same way they were before.
Snap said users under 16 will now have a separate profile for showing Stories and Spotlight posts only to friends they follow back. These posts will also avoid public engagement numbers such as favorite counts, which the company says can create pressure for young users to compete for attention.
Until now, Snapchat allowed users in this age group to share Spotlight posts more broadly, although those posts were not directly linked to their profiles. That setup helped stop other users from contacting them, but the new update adds another layer of protection by limiting who can see their content.
Users aged 16 to 18 will still be able to share Spotlight posts publicly, but their reach will be limited to friends, followers, and people with whom they share mutual friends. Parents will also be able to see how much time their children spend on areas of the app such as Stories and Spotlight through Snapchat’s Family Center.
Snapchat already blocks strangers from sending friend requests or messages to teenagers. The app also shows warning messages when teen users begin chatting with someone they do not know and limits the types of content teenagers can view on the platform.
The move comes as major social media companies continue to face pressure over how they protect younger users online. Instagram has also introduced more restricted experiences for teenagers in recent years, including dedicated teen accounts.
Earlier this year, Snap settled a lawsuit that accused the company of contributing to social media addiction. The company is still fighting similar cases in other parts of the United States.
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel has pushed back against comparisons with platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In an interview with CNBC, he pointed to studies suggesting Snapchat has a positive effect on users because it is mainly designed to connect people with their friends.
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