Snapchat is a photo messaging application. Using the app, users can take photos (called a snap), record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to a controlled list of recipients. Users set a time limit for how long recipients can view their photos, up to 10 seconds, after which it will be deleted from the recipient”s device and the company’s servers.

How popular is it? Well, it is relatively new and started as a class project for Evan Spiegel at Stanford in April 2011. According to Forbes, Snapchat is used 30 million times a day and growing by leaps and bounds daily.

Seems simple enough, right? How bad can this be? The photo actually disappears before anybody else can do anything with it. Kids, and adults too, are having tons of fun with this hot and trendy application. Don’t be too comfortable with this logic. Here are some risks to consider:

• Sexting – Snapchat creates a strong sense of perceived safety for users as photos are deleted after the time limit. Teenagers feel much ‘safer’ sending photos via this app. As a result of this comfort, teenagers are becoming much bolder in what they are willing to send, including, you guessed it, photos of themselves that are inappropriate.
• Privacy – Although the app notifies senders if a screenshot is taken of their sent photo, founder Evan Spiegel says the app is not for privacy. Snapchat’s privacy policy says it can’t guarantee photos won’t still be available in some form after the set time has elapsed. Teenagers do not read nor care about this fine print.
• Bullying – Similar to the sexting logic, Snapchat makes bullying much easier and safer because there is far less chance of being caught bullying another person. The ‘evidence’ of the bullying is disappearing. Again, this will allow behavior to get much bolder and riskier.
• Does it really disappear – As with most things, if you give people enough time, they will find a way around the intended use of the app. In this case, people or ‘hacks’ will find a way to retain those fleeting photos. There have been at least 3 loopholes or new apps created which would allow recipients to save Snapchat images for keeps. These loopholes have been discovered and step by step instructions can easily be found on the internet.

At the end of the day, this is a fun app for kids and adults too. Like all things technical that our kids are using, parents need to understand how they work and what are the risks associated with them. Talk to your kids and help them to understand that Snapchat needs to be used in good judgement and with appropriate behavior. That picture really doesn’t disappear forever! Ask your child, “Are you really ok with this picture out there for all to see?” If the answer is not “Yes” than it should never be sent.