Snapchat Introduces SnapKidz for Users Under 13

[-Nick]

Hey,

I came across this recently and thought I might share!


Snapchat (http://mashable.com/category/snapchat/), the app that sends automatically-deleting messages, has proven to be hugely popular among teens and young adults, but until now, it restricted anyone under the age of 13 from using it.On Saturday, Snapchat decided to change their policy by introducing an update that lets younger users register for a more limited version of the app, which the startup has dubbed SnapKidz.
SEE ALSO: This College Student Is the King of Snapchat PR (http://mashable.com/2013/06/11/student-snapchat-pr/)
"Instead they are able to use 'SnapKidz' a version of Snapchat that includes an interface for taking snaps, captioning, drawing, and saving them locally on the device, but does not support sending or receiving snaps or adding friends," the company wrote in a blog post (http://blog.snapchat.com/).
In essence, SnapKidz is just a photo and drawing app for kids, which lacks Snapchat's main feature: sending messages. The kid-friendly option is currently only available as part of an update to the iOS (http://mashable.com/category/ios/) app, but may roll out to Android in the future.
The move comes as Snapchat is reportedly looking to raise a big new round of funding. By introducing a more PG-version of the app for younger users, Snapchat may be able to boost its user numbers and change the perception that it is simply a tool for sexting.
Of course, users can also lie about their age and continue using the app's full features.
Do you think Snapchat will find success among younger users? Share your thoughts in the comments below.


Source: http://mashable.com/2013/06/24/snapchat-kidz/

It seems to been introduced last month, however I have only heard about this just recently? Maybe Snapchat don't want people to know?

Nick

[Jazz]

i dont know how well it would work, kids will realise the no sending or receiving restriction, know how pointless the app then is and lie about their ages like they tend to do on most social media/sharing sites with 13+ rules

[Matt]

I highly doubt 'SnapKidz' will even get used that much to be honest. My brother is 13 and he's had Snapchat for a while now. If they know there's a better version on offer then they're more likely to download that one. I guess it would only work if the parents were the ones downloading it onto their kids phone and it being the restricted version.

[Hannah]

Like everything else, kids gonna do what kids gonna do.
In this case, kids gonna download Snapchat and send dirty pics.

[GoldenMerc]

Peadofile heaven? Moh;

[Absently]

Sounds pretty useless and just like a crap knockoff.

[IzzyUhh]

I doubt under 13s will say 'Oh that sounds better ill just sign up to that and uninstall snapchat'

[FlyingJesus]

Good stunt from the Snapchat creators - with this option they release themselves from responsibility when younger people are sexting with their program because they can claim that they ought to have been using the non-sharing version. The fact that no-one will actually install it isn't an issue for them because the cost of keeping it in their repertoire will be negligible and totally worth the freedom from child pornography lawsuits

[Chippiewill]

Good stunt from the Snapchat creators - with this option they release themselves from responsibility when younger people are sexting with their program because they can claim that they ought to have been using the non-sharing version. The fact that no-one will actually install it isn't an issue for them because the cost of keeping it in their repertoire will be negligible and totally worth the freedom from child pornography lawsuits

Unfortunately it's a self-defeating philosophy and the courts will see right through it for the reasons you describe. They're equally as liable by just saying under 13s shouldn't be using it.

[-Nick]

I doubt under 13s will say 'Oh that sounds better ill just sign up to that and uninstall snapchat'
Its an app all in one:)!

[auffant1]

So pointless, what under 13 year old actually puts down they are under 13 :P. I know I didn't.

[Futz]

the faint sound of 1,000,000 pedos jelking is heard in the distance

[GommeInc]

Unfortunately it's a self-defeating philosophy and the courts will see right through it for the reasons you describe. They're equally as liable by just saying under 13s shouldn't be using it.
^ This. As with any paedophilia/children negligence based case it will ignore any of these restrictions and focus purely on the company having the services in the first place. If anything, the courts will say better moderation to filter out pornographic images will be the only solution, with liability still remaining on the company.

If anything, App Stores (Play/Marketplace/App Store) will be targeted for not having parental restrictions to stop children accessing these apps, which would follow precedent with children buying Apps from these stores without their parents consent - basically, they will be told to better secure these sorts of Apps. If SnapChat isn't liable, the smartphone OS companies might be. I think it's what happened with Tinder and Grindr.

Also, this seems really pointless as an addition to the App. Would under 13s really just want to sit drawing and playing around with their photos? We're in the age of sharing.

[IzzyUhh]

Its an app all in one:)!
Oh right

Still though it does seem a little pointless :p

[peteyt]

^ This. As with any paedophilia/children negligence based case it will ignore any of these restrictions and focus purely on the company having the services in the first place. If anything, the courts will say better moderation to filter out pornographic images will be the only solution, with liability still remaining on the company.

If anything, App Stores (Play/Marketplace/App Store) will be targeted for not having parental restrictions to stop children accessing these apps, which would follow precedent with children buying Apps from these stores without their parents consent - basically, they will be told to better secure these sorts of Apps. If SnapChat isn't liable, the smartphone OS companies might be. I think it's what happened with Tinder and Grindr.

Also, this seems really pointless as an addition to the App. Would under 13s really just want to sit drawing and playing around with their photos? We're in the age of sharing.

I do think it will put a lot less pressure on SnapChat as if they get complaints they can say well we did give a one for kids. At the end of the day people will always find ways to get around things such as child restrictions but by releasing a child friendly one they are in a sense putting the responsibility more towards the parents and possibly the app store.

As to filtering images this will be tricky as it will raise a lot of issues with privacy. Obviously people use snapchat for pornographic images, but even those who don't will not like the idea of someone else (other than the recipient) seeing the images.

[GommeInc]

I do think it will put a lot less pressure on SnapChat as if they get complaints they can say well we did give a one for kids. At the end of the day people will always find ways to get around things such as child restrictions but by releasing a child friendly one they are in a sense putting the responsibility more towards the parents and possibly the app store.

As to filtering images this will be tricky as it will raise a lot of issues with privacy. Obviously people use snapchat for pornographic images, but even those who don't will not like the idea of someone else (other than the recipient) seeing the images.
Responsibility is already in the hands of others, the only issue here is that SnapChat are attempting to prevent the content. This child friendly version seems more like a stepping stone to the actual SnapChat app. Children might use the obviously watered down version and then decide they want the real version and go from there. It seems like it wouldn't really solve a problem and if anything may increase it.

[nvrspk4]

I actually don't think this is a terrible idea at all. I don't think it's really for the just-under-13 demo (say 11-13) but for the much younger crew. I can absolutely see my youngest cousins (like 6-9) having a blast taking photos of themselves and their friends, drawing all over them and showing it to me later. Can also see parents putting it on their phones for littlest ones who want to be like the big sister or mom/dad.

[Shockwave.2CC]

Peadofile heaven? @Moh (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=28365);


Lol the last bit made me laugh

But yeah what you said. It'll be like that song by MC Lars


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4saNx5jJW0