Parents beware: Snapchat app is a predator's dream

Most parents know that we need to monitor our children when they're on computers. If you don't also monitor your child's cellphone, you may want to start. Traditional social media apps aren't your only concern. Smartphone apps are making it easier than ever for your child to connect with complete strangers. One that you'll want to keep an eye out for is Snapchat. The app is a predator's dream and a parent's worst nightmare.

The app's description bills it as an app for real time picture chatting. Users can control how long the recipient of the picture can view it, up to 10 seconds. After that person views the picture for the set amount of time, the image disappears "forever" from their server. They do warn that they cannot prevent the recipient from taking a screenshot of the photo, but how many people, especially children and teens, read the warning in the app's details? It is rated 12+ due to "infrequent" and "mild" sexual content and nudity, profanity, crude humor, suggestive themes and more. It works on iOS and Android devices.

I have no problem with consenting adults using the app (though it's still a bad idea), but what else would an app with disappearing photos be used for if not primarily for sexting? I was disturbed to find so many teens leaving their usernames in the reviews to connect with other people. Some of the reviews may entice the wrong kind of person, including these left by users under 18 (usernames and ages intentionally left out):

• "Girl that's [age deleted] and ready to mingle"
• "Guy [age deleted]...looking…to talk…dirty or clean"
• "I'm a male. Clean or dirty."
• "Bored looking for dirty fun."

As you can see, it's not uncommon for adults and children to leave their age, sex, username on Snapchat and their willingness to talk "clean or dirty." I fear it gives minors a false sense of security and willingness to trust the other party not to take screenshots of their photos. Fifty million "snaps" are uploaded every day. Parents, please monitor and restrict your child's app usage. Safety trumps privacy in these cases.

Photo from Snapchat screenshot in the Google Play store.