App dossier · Messaging
Snapchat
Developer: Snap, Inc.
- US App Store rating13+
- Google Play ratingTeen
Photo-based messaging, group chats, Stories and location-sharing tools. The appeal can be quick conversations with friends, silly lenses and maintaining streaks. The important parent question is not just what disappears, but who is in the friend list and whether location is being shared.
Official store icon identified from the store listing artwork (opens in new tab). Icon is shown to identify the app; trademark belongs to Snap, Inc..
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The essentials
Age, contact, spending
Minimum age
Generally 13+, with regional variations and higher ages for some features.
Age check
Users provide a birthdate. Snapchat says an accurate birthday is necessary for its teen protections; additional checks can depend on region and feature.
Who can contact teens
Review friend requests and Contact Me settings. Group chats, shared friends and public features can introduce people beyond a teen’s closest circle.
Disappearing content
Snaps and chats are designed to delete under their settings, but messages can be saved, captured or retained in specific circumstances. Disappearing is not the same as secret.
Public content
Private friend communication differs from public Stories or profiles. Snap Map location sharing is a separate choice; check Ghost Mode and each chosen audience.
Spending
Snapchat+ subscriptions and other in-app purchases can recur. Streaks and paid features can create pressure without improving a friendship.
Store stats
By the numbers
US App Store
4.51 stars from 5,955,972 ratings, as of October 8, 2026. Apple listing (opens in new tab)
Google Play downloads
1B+ as of October 8, 2026. Google Play listing (opens in new tab)
Official controls
How to set them up
Connect Family Center
Search for Family Center in Snapchat or find it in Settings. Send the invitation to your teen and have them accept. Review friends, recent contacts, content controls and location options together; it does not show the contents of chats.
Official instructions → (opens in new tab)
Privacy
What gets shared
Check Snap Map, story audience and friend requests. Snapchat’s parent FAQ explains that deletion has exceptions; do not promise that a sent photo can never be recovered.
Safety
What parents should know
- The official parent guidance recommends a real birthdate and a username without age or identifying details.
- Temporary photos can still be screenshot or shared. Reporting and blocking should be practiced before an uncomfortable interaction occurs.
Safeguards described here are reported by the company in its own materials (see Snapchat: official safety, eligibility or parent guidance (opens in new tab)). They are not independent safety guarantees, and Lowkey has not tested them.
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Slang you will hear
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