By Kayla DeKraker
Snapchat often finds itself in the hot seat for child safety issues, but the company’s latest move could actually make a difference in teens’ online wellbeing.
The platform just released a 45-minute course for teens to educate them on bullying, illicit drug activity, nude and intimate images and sextortion.
“In today’s world, technology connects us in incredible ways, but communicating online, across any platform also comes with risks. Many parents tell us they worry their teens don’t yet have the skills to navigate online life safely,” said Jacqueline Beauchere, Snapchat’s head of platform safety.
She added, “Taking the time to visit the keys a guide to digital safety. Technology can do so many amazing things, but depending on how technology is used, it can also bring real risks. That’s why it’s so important to know how to stay safe, and that’s what the keys program is all about.”
Related: Snapchat Improves Child Protection and Safety Terms
Snapchat explained more about the course in a video posted to Instagram.
“Thank you for taking to time to visit The Keys, a guide to digital safety,” a spokesperson for Snapchat begins. “Technology can do so many amazing things, but depending on how technology is used, it can also bring real risks. That’s why it’s so important to know how to stay safe. And that’s what The Keys program is all about.”
Snapchat previously faced scrutiny for its lack of accountability for online predators.
Last year, NPR’s Dara Kerr reported, “An internal email shows the company received around 10,000 reports of sextortion per month. Employees pointed to one account that had 75 complaints against it, and it wasn’t taken down. Internally, Snapchat said that addressing child grooming would create privacy issues and be too expensive.”
Though features like Snapchat’s new course are helpful, social media will always mean risks, so it falls on the parents to make sure their children are safe online.
“Teach them not to click on pop-ups, explain that they should never share passwords, addresses or personal information with people they don’t know online, create a series of steps they should follow if they see inappropriate content, such as looking away and telling a parent or trusted adult,” the DHS encourages parents and caregivers.
For teens, some tips include “Talk about how they should never post personal information or inappropriate content, discuss sexting and the permanency of online data, teach them how to avoid online predators by setting up privacy controls on their devices, like restricting apps’ location access.”
While it is encourage that Snapchat is talking action against online dangers, parents should not put their trust in a platform to keep their children safe.
Read Next: Snapchat Lacks Accountability, Leads the Charge in Indoctrinating Children
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