#ChildSafety

Snapchat Isn’t as Safe as You Think – Why Disappearing Messages Don’t Mean Protection

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Why Teens Love Snapchat

For many teenagers, Snapchat feels like freedom. Messages disappear, photos vanish after a few seconds, and conversations seem to leave no trace. To them, this means they can be more spontaneous, playful, and even rebellious without fearing “permanent consequences.” Even the simple fact that their family members don’t know about it or don’t understand it makes it more appealing. But this illusion of safety is exactly what makes Snapchat dangerous.

The Hidden Risks

1. Screenshots and third-party apps – Nothing really disappears. A single screenshot, or an app that secretly saves snaps, can make “temporary” photos permanent. This isn’t limited to Snapchat but it should be a general rule when it comes to the internet. If it goes online, it will always remain there.


2. Grooming and sextortion – Predators often use the disappearing feature to pressure teens into sharing intimate images, then use those images for blackmail. It is very common and many teens can’t handle this type of pressure. What starts like something fun, turns into something tragic way too many times.


3. Cyberbullying – Harassment becomes harder to track when messages vanish, making victims feel helpless. Even if the messages disappear from the victim’s device, they remain engraved in their memory.


4. False sense of security – Teens often believe they’re protected, which lowers their guard and exposes them to risks they wouldn’t take on more transparent platforms. Also, not having any parental control can encourage them to behave more recklessly.

What Parents Can Do

Start the conversation early – Talk about online safety before your child even installs the app. Talking to your children and explaining the dangers they expose themselves to must become your most important routine. Teach them to come to you whenever they feel uncomfortable or scared.

Avoid becoming the “house police” – Instead of spying, create trust. Ask questions, listen, and explain why disappearing doesn’t mean safe. It is very important for them to understand that you don’t want to control them but to keep them safe. So they should always come to you and ask for help if they need it.

Teach digital permanence – Remind them: if it’s online, it can be saved.

Offer alternatives – Encourage safer ways of staying connected with friends that don’t rely on disappearing content.

Snapchat thrives on the idea that what happens there, stays there. Reality proves otherwise. A captured snap can haunt a teenager for years, turning a “moment of fun” into a lasting nightmare. Parents don’t need to ban every app, but they do need to step in with awareness, education, and open communication.

I will leave you with a real sting operation designed to catch a “sextortion scammer”. Even though the operation took place on Instagram, I want you all to understand that this can happen on any app, so don’t take it lightly.
You can watch “Hunting my Sextortion Scammer” on Channel4 or YouTube.
A powerful 90-second summary of this operation is also available on LinkedIn:

Watch the short version here

Featured

Not every tragedy is an accident

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I wrote a short bio about myself, very cold and generic, and I told about my mission. However, what I told no-one is what drove me to this moment of my life where I chose to speak and try to help others before it happens, before they become victims.

I’ve seen too many dead bodies, too many women beaten to death by their partners. But the one thing I cannot get out of my mind are the desperate cries of two young parents while I carried the body of their eight months old baby in my arms.

It’s infuriating to know that some tragedies can be avoided and yet there are people who let them happen. I’m tired of always being there too late when there is nothing else left to do than to punish those responsible. And even then, the punishment doesn’t equal the pain they’ve caused and the lives they destroyed. It is said that every life is sacred and yet some carry more promise than others.

So no, this isn’t just a blog, it’s a warning.
I can’t undo what I’ve seen but I can make sure you don’t have to see it too. One post at a time. One truth at a time. Starting here.
Because no child should die like that.
And no one should stay silent until it happens again.

ONLINE SAFETY – How to protect yourself in a modern, ever-changing world

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     The world around us began to change very fast, giving us little to no time to adapt to its new features. Many actions became automated and were transferred online. These activities birthed a whole spectrum of new challenges for us to tackle and new opportunities for criminals to exploit.

     From financial transactions hijacked by third parties, phishing campaigns targeting your sensitive information, to manipulating and grooming children and trying to recruit them online, the new wave of offences that swept the world is very diverse and volatile, easy to adjust to the counter-measures taken by professionals.

     When we speak about crimes committed over the internet, there are specific particularities regarding children and adults. What you need to know is that criminals exploit vulnerability and they keep testing people until they find their victim. That’s why you need to be informed and to apply simple rules to keep yourself and those you love safe.

     Why criminals target adults versus children:

     When it comes to the two categories, the reasons why they are being targeted are very different. Adults are usually targeted by criminals trying to exploit them financially, so they are often subjected to frauds and scams. Now there is no limitation when it comes to the criminal mind but adults, depending on their age, are more vulnerable in using technology and they are easier to outsmart or deceive.

     On the other hand, children are more prone to be subjected to sexual and trafficking offences. Criminals will try to recruit or groom them so they can later exploit them. They are the most vulnerable category due to their tender age and the lack of life experience. It is a parent’s duty to teach their children safety rules to make sure they don’t fall prey into the wrong hands. Also, recognizing early signs of manipulation in your child may help you sever a connection with a stranger that may have bad intentions. Considering your kid’s age, as a parent, you should make sure that they follow some rules and you should too when it comes to them.

     Quick online safety tips for children:


-Install parental control apps on their phones or smart TVs to limit access to adult content and risky platforms.
-Teach them to reject friend requests from people they don’t know, even if they seem friendly or have mutual contacts.
-Make it clear they must never share or post intimate photos or videos of themselves or others.
-Absolutely forbid meeting strangers they’ve only talked to online. Explain how people can use fake profiles or stolen images to pose as someone else.
-Encourage open communication: if something online makes them uncomfortable or scared, they should tell you right away.
-Watch for warning signs of grooming: secrecy about online activity, isolation, new “friends” they won’t discuss, or receiving unexplained gifts or money.

     If you notice any of these signs, stay alert and consider reporting it. For more guidance, check out our free resource: Child Safety Essentials: How to protect your kids from manipulation & abuse

     Quick online safety tips for adults:

-Avoid entering your card details on unfamiliar sites — some are clones made to steal your information.
-Never allow websites to save your card for future use. These sites are the most vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Use a dedicated low-balance card or virtual cards for online purchases.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all accounts that support it.
-Double-check email addresses — especially when receiving payment instructions. Look for subtle changes (extra letters/numbers) – this is called Business Email Compromise (BEC).

     One recent case involved a company that regularly communicated with a foreign partner via email. The company received a message that seemed to come from the trusted partner, requesting a payment into a different bank account than usual. Although the email address appeared legitimate, a closer inspection later revealed that a single character had been altered. After the transfer was completed, the company’s bank flagged the destination account as previously linked to fraudulent activity. The funds could not be recovered. This method, often called Business Email Compromise (BEC), is a growing cyber threat that exploits human trust and small lapses in attention.

-Ignore suspicious calls and emails. Phishing aims to steal your data or install malware. Stolen info often ends up for sale on the dark web.
-Don’t post sensitive information online: avoid sharing your ID, bank details, home address, travel plans, or expensive purchases.
-Use strong passwords, a VPN, and secure browsers like Brave or Firefox with privacy add-ons.
-Limit your social media exposure. What you post can be used to profile you: your lifestyle, location, habits, and family details.
-Avoid posting photos of your kids naked, in the bath, or near their school/kindergarten. Every trace online contributes to a digital profile that strangers could abuse.

     Online safety starts with education. By staying informed and taking small steps every day, you can protect yourself and your loved ones online. Share these tips with friends, family, or on social media to help build a safer online community. What are some other tips you would introduce on this list?