Snapchat is introducing new restrictions to limit adults on
the platform from sending messages to young users below the age of 18. This is
an update to the Quick Add friend suggestion option.
Older users will be allowed to add users aged under 18 only on the condition that a certain number of friends are in common between the two users.
While the update is not that major, it is still expected to
have a significant impact as it can reduce potential harm, especially
considering that a lot of Snapchat users are minors. According to Snapchat, about
20% of its users are aged under 18, while the majority of them lie in the 13-24
year-old age bracket.
Snapchat has received criticism on being a platform where it
is easy for offenders to exploit young people, therefore the company is now taking
steps to ensure better protection of its younger audience.
