The last post, we’ve talked about Linkedin and how Kennected is beneficial to the average Linkedin user. This post, we’re going to shed some light on Snapchat. Snapchat has become hugely popular amongst kids in recent years, so we thought it was time to take a look at it and think about how to use it safely.

The first thing to bear in mind is that Snapchat is rated 12+ on the iTunes store. This means that it’s not intended for use by anyone under the age of 13. Always talk to your parents before you open a Snapchat account.

In the past few years, Snapchat has become the social media messaging app of choice for the young. It’s also often used by bloggers to add an extra layer to their content. It’s another way for their audience to connect with them in a more immediate and direct way.

Users send images and videos to each other, which expire soon after they’ve been viewed.

So, how to stay safer on Snapchat?

• Create a strong password and don’t tell it to anybody
  This goes for any type of social media or online account. Change your passwords regularly and don’t use the same password for everything you have an account for.
• Don’t assume that anything is private
  Just because Snaps expire quickly doesn’t mean that somebody can’t take a screen shot and show it to somebody else. This can and does happen all the time. If you’re unsure about sharing a picture then don’t, or at least wait and think about it. Don’t send a message about anybody that you wouldn’t say to their face. Don’t send any pictures that you wouldn’t mind your mum seeing.
• Keep your Snaps and Story settings to friends-only
  Check your Snapchat settings and ensure that they’re at friends-only. This means that only people you’ve added as friends can see your Snaps, though they could still pass them on to someone else. Even if it feels like a safe setting, there is still the potential for it not to be. Never add someone as a friend if you’re not sure who they are. Life isn’t a numbers game and you don’t need a bazillion friends who aren’t really your friends. Just a few genuine ones is plenty.

Do you use Snapchat? What’s your top tip for staying safer on Snapchat?

picture credit: Ryan Nagelmann