Snapchat Checklist

Snapchat is a photo messaging app with a twist. Snapchatters can take photos, record videos, add text and drawings and send them to friends. These ‘Snaps’ aren’t saved by default so it feels more like having an ordinary conversation. Once everyone has viewed a Snap, Snapchat’s system is designed to automatically delete it from their servers.

Opened Snaps typically cannot be retrieved from Snapchat’s servers by anyone, for any reason. Upon registration ‘Team Snapchat’ will automatically send you a series of ‘Snaps’ to take you through the basics.

For more help you can head to the Snapchat Help Centre.

Safety Not Guaranteed

Snapchat is in part successful because of the temporary nature of its sharing. In a world where everything online is permanent, it’s refreshing to be able to share images and video with little to no risk of an embarrassing public leak. At least, that’s the theory. The app is supposed to notify you if a recipient attempts to take a screenshot of your picture or save it in any other way. The image is truly supposed to cease existing after the short time interval expires.

However, in spite of the temporary nature of a “snap”, some users download third-party applications to clandestinely screenshot the content they receive. Herein lies Snapchat’s flaw – it’s easy to overcome the restrictions Snapchat sets.

When you want to keep something private, don’t upload it to the Internet. The best way to keep a secret is not to tell anyone about it. The best policy you can have is to always assume everything you post to the Internet is instantly accessible to everyone. If you follow this simple guideline, then you won’t have to deal with the fallout from that embarrassing picture (or other post).

How can I stay in control?

By default, only Snapchatters you add to your friends list can send you Snaps. If someone who isn’t your friend tries to send you a Snap, you’ll receive a notification that they added you, but will only receive the Snap when you add them to your friends list.

To change who can send you Snaps:

  • Tap ghost on the camera screen to access your profile, then tap the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the screen and scroll down to the Who Can section.

For Snaps: tap the Contact Me option and choose either:

  • Everyone – This allows anyone to send you Snaps (even strangers).
  • My Friends – Only your friends are able to send you Snaps.

For Stories: tap the View My Story option and choose either:

  • Everyone – This allows anyone to see your Stories (even strangers).
  • My Friends – Only your friends are able to send you Snaps.
  • Custom – This allows you to choose which friends can see your stories.

How do I Block and Delete?

Blocking someone on Snapchat means they will be prevented from sending you Snaps,
Chats or viewing your Stories. Deleting someone means they will no longer show up on
your friends list, but your privacy settings determine whether or not they can still see
your Snaps. To block or delete a contact:

  • Tap the username you want to block or delete in your My Friends page.
  • Tap the gear icon that appears next to their name.
  • Select Block to prevent Snaps, Chats or from them viewing your Stories.
  • Select Remove Friend to remove them from your friends list.
  • To block someone who isn’t in your friends list, just swipe on their name on the
    Chat screen to open a Chat with them. Then tap the button in the top left corner
    to access their profile, where you can block them.

To unblock a user:

  • Tap the ghost at the top of the Camera screen. Then tap the gear icon and
    scroll down to Account Actions and tap Blocked. You should see a list of
    Snapchatters who are currently blocked by you. Tap the X next to their name to
    unblock them.
  • Depending on your privacy settings you may need to re-add each other as
    friends to send Snaps and Chats back and forth.

How to find friends

To find and add friends:

  • Tap the ghost on the camera screen.
  • To add friends, tap the Add Friends icon. From there, you can add friends by username,
    from your device’s address book, by Snapcode, or with the Add Nearby feature. To add
    friends from your address book, you will be prompted to verify your phone number. Once
    verified, all of your phone contacts with Snapchat accounts will be displayed, along with
    friends who don’t have Snapchat, who you can invite via SMS

If you don’t want friends to find you through your phone number:

  • Tap ghost on the camera screen, then tap the gear icon in the
    upper-right corner.
  • Tap Mobile Number.
  • Untick Allow my friends to find me to unlink your phone number.

How do I report a problem?

Snapchat encourages self-expression, but wants Snapchatters to be able to use the app
safely and enjoyably. Snapchat doesn’t tolerate ‘Snaps’ that share:

  • Pornography, nudity or sexuallly suggestive content
  • Invasions of privacy or impersonation of others
  • Threats, harassment or bullying of other people
  • Self-harm

Snapchat may remove this type of content and suspend accounts that will be prohibited from using Snapchat in the future. For more information, see Snapchat’s Community
Guidelines at: https://support.snapchat.com/en-GB/a/guidelines

Snapchat’s reporting functions are the same across all devices. Mobile and tablet users can find all the reporting routes by tapping on the ghost on the camera screen; tapping the gear icon and choosing ‘Support’.
Desktop users can report a safety concern at: https://support.snapchat.com/en-GB/i-need-help