Tools and Resources for Parents

We take our responsibility to help protect teens on Snapchat extremely seriously. As part of this, we want to arm parents with tools and resources to help their teens use Snapchat safely. Here you can learn more about how to use Snapchat’s parental controls, download a checklist of key safety tips to discuss with your teens, and access expert resources.

Snapchat Parental Controls

Snapchat’s Family Center is our set of parental controls that help you see who your teens are communicating with on Snapchat and set Content Controls – which can help prompt important conversations about safety. Family Center reflects the dynamics of real-world relationships between parents and teens, where parents have insight into who their teens are spending time with, while still respecting teens’ privacy. On Family Center, parents can view their teens' privacy and safety settings, manage parental controls for My AI, and easily and confidentially report any concerns directly to our Trust and Safety team, who work around the clock to help keep Snapchatters safe.

Getting Started on Family Center

To use Family Center, parents must have a Snapchat account. Here are instructions on how to download the app and set up Family Center:

Watch this tutorial or read through the step-by-step instructions.

Step 1

Start by downloading Snapchat from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone.

Step 2

Open the app and tap ‘Sign Up’ to create an account. Once you enter all the relevant information as prompted, you can create your Snapchat username.

Step 3

Ask your teen for their username so you can add them as a friend. Once you have their username, you can search for it using the search bar at the Camera screen’s top-left corner.

Step 4

Once your teen has accepted your friend request, you’ll be ready to get started with Family Center.

Step 5

There are two ways to access Family Center on Snapchat:

1) You can use the search bar. Search relevant terms such as “safety,” “family,” or “parent,” and Family Center will appear.
2) Or, head to Settings (gear icon), located in the top-right corner of your Profile Page (located at the top left corner across all tabs), where Family Center has a permanent home.

Step 6

Once you open Family Center, you’ll need to invite your teen to join. Your teen will receive an invitation card, and they must opt in to participate.

Step 7

Teens need to tap ‘Accept,’ and you’ll both be notified that the status of the invitation has been updated.

Step 8

Now, you can use Family Center to see who your teens are talking to and set Content Controls.

Have more questions about Family Center? Visit our Support Site.

Location Sharing on Family Center

More than 350 million people use our Snap Map every month to share their location with their friends and family to help stay safe while out and about, to find great places to visit nearby, and to learn about the world through Snaps from around the globe. Soon, new location sharing features will make it easier than ever for families to stay connected while out and about.

Safety Checklist for Parents

To help support conversations about how to use Snapchat safely, here’s a checklist of important tips for your teen:

Only Connect with Family and Friends

Only invite and accept friend invitations from people they know in real life.

Carefully Pick a Username

Choose a username that doesn’t include their age, birthdate, personal information, or suggestive language. Your teen’s username should never include personal information like age or birthdate.

Having an accurate birthdate is the only way your teen can benefit from our age-appropriate safety protections.

Double Check Location-Sharing

Location-sharing on our Map is off by default for everyone. If your teen is going to turn it on, it should only be used with their trusted friends and family.

Talk to a Trusted Adult

When it comes to safety and well-being, there are no wrong questions or conversations. Tell your teen to speak to a trusted adult if they have a concern.

Use In-App Reporting

Your teen should know that reports are confidential – and go directly to our 24/7 Trust & Safety team for review.

Think Before Sending

As with sharing anything online, it’s important to be really careful about requesting or sending anyone – even a partner or close friend – private or sensitive images and information.

Join Snapchat’s Family Center

Make sure you and your teen are signed up for our parental controls, Snapchat’s Family Center, where you can see which friends your teens are talking to, view their privacy and safety settings, and set Content Controls.

Helpful to know! To print out a downloadable version of this checklist, click here.

For additional information, see Safety Resources from our Partners and Experts.