How to block kids from using Snapchat’s ‘Discover’ feature?

Snapchat’s Discover feature offers a curated selection of content, including articles, videos, and stories from various publishers and creators. While it can be a source of entertainment and information, it also contains content that might be unsuitable for younger audiences.

Some of the content you may find on Snapchat’s Discover feature includes:

• News articles – Covering a range of topics, from current events to lifestyle and entertainment.
• Videos – Featuring various genres, from comedy to educational content.
• Stories – Created by both professionals and individuals, offering a glimpse into different perspectives and experiences.

While Discover aims to provide a diverse range of content, it’s important to remember that not all of it is appropriate for children. Some content might contain mature themes, strong language, or even graphic imagery that could be disturbing or inappropriate for young viewers. This is why it’s crucial to have strong parental control measures in place to safeguard your children’s online experience.

Parental control tools can help you restrict access to Discover and other potentially harmful content on Snapchat. By implementing these measures, you can create a safer online environment for your children and ensure they are only exposed to age-appropriate content.

Parental Control Features Within Snapchat

Snapchat has some built-in features that can help you manage your child’s experience, but it’s important to understand that these features are not as comprehensive as dedicated parental control apps.

Here are some of the features you can use:

• Set Age Limits: Snapchat allows you to set age limits for who can view your child’s Story. Go to the app’s settings, then to ‘Who Can View My Story’ and choose ‘Custom’ to select the age range. This feature doesn’t prevent your child from viewing content, but it can limit the reach of their posts.
• Restrict Friend Requests: In the app’s settings, you can go to ‘Privacy’ and then ‘Friend Requests’. Here, you can choose ‘Everyone’ to allow anyone to send friend requests or ‘My Friends’ to restrict requests to those already on your child’s friend list. This prevents unknown individuals from contacting them.
• Manage Privacy Settings: Snapchat offers various privacy settings to control what your child shares. In the app’s settings, you can manage who can see their location, send them snaps, view their story, and more. You can also control whether they can see ads or not.

While these features can be helpful, they are limited. You can also encourage your child to use Snapchat responsibly and talk to them about online safety. If you are looking for more comprehensive parental control, you can consider using dedicated parental control apps.

Third-Party Parental Control Apps for Snapchat

Third-party parental control apps offer a comprehensive approach to managing your child’s Snapchat usage. These apps provide features like content monitoring, screen time limits, and the ability to block access to specific features, including Discover.

Here are some popular options:

Bark: Bark excels in content monitoring. It scans messages, photos, and videos for inappropriate content and alerts parents to any potential risks. Bark also offers screen time limits and app usage tracking.

• Pros: Advanced content monitoring, detailed activity reports, user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Limited features beyond content monitoring, may require a subscription.

Qustodio: Qustodio is a well-rounded parental control app that covers various aspects of digital safety. It allows you to set app usage limits, block specific apps, and track your child’s location.

• Pros: Comprehensive features, multi-device compatibility, free trial available.
• Cons: Can be complex to set up, may require a subscription for full functionality.

mSpy: mSpy is a robust parental control app designed for comprehensive monitoring. It offers features like call recording, GPS tracking, and social media monitoring, including Snapchat.

• Pros: Advanced monitoring capabilities, comprehensive reports, reliable performance.
• Cons: Can be expensive, may raise privacy concerns.

FlexiSpy: FlexiSpy is another powerful parental control app that provides in-depth monitoring of your child’s Snapchat usage. It allows you to track messages, view photos, and monitor activity logs.

• Pros: Extensive monitoring features, discreet operation, real-time tracking.
• Cons: Costly, potentially intrusive, may require rooting or jailbreaking.

Remember to carefully consider your child’s age, maturity level, and your own comfort level before choosing a parental control app. Ensure the app you select meets your specific needs and aligns with your parenting approach.

Beyond Apps: Open Communication and Setting Boundaries

While parental control apps can be helpful, it’s crucial to remember that they are not a substitute for open communication and setting healthy boundaries with your children.

Talk to your kids about the dangers of inappropriate content online and encourage them to be mindful of what they share and who they share it with. Explain the importance of responsible online behavior and the consequences of engaging in risky activities. Set clear expectations for Snapchat usage, including screen time limits and guidelines for sharing content.

Open communication can help build trust and encourage your kids to come to you if they encounter any problems or have questions. By fostering a safe and open environment, you can empower your children to make responsible choices online.

Remember, the goal is not to stifle your child’s online exploration but to create a safe and positive digital environment. You can achieve this through a combination of:

• Parental control features that empower you to manage app access and content.
• Open communication where you encourage your child to share their online experiences and concerns.
• Setting clear boundaries about appropriate online behavior and responsible app usage.

By adopting this holistic approach, you can navigate the complexities of the digital world, protecting your child’s online safety while nurturing their online independence.