Snap Restricts Public Spotlight Videos for Users Under 16
Snapchat will no longer allow users aged 13-15 to post videos to its public Spotlight feature, instead directing them to a new private "profile" feature visible only to mutual friends. The change removes public visibility and engagement metrics like favorites for younger teens' shortform video content. The move reflects ongoing industry pressure on social media companies regarding teen safety and privacy protections.
Snapchat is implementing a significant restriction on younger users' content visibility by preventing teens aged 13-15 from contributing to the publicly viewable Spotlight feature, which is the app's hub for shortform video discovery. Instead, these younger users will be directed to a new "profile" feature where they can create shortform content visible only to mutual friends, alongside their Stories posts. The change removes engagement metrics like favorites from younger teens' content, which Snap says is designed to reduce social pressure and encourage creativity within trusted audiences. This represents an escalation of Snapchat's existing safety measures, which previously allowed 13-year-olds to post to public Spotlight without linking their profiles to the content. The company has faced mounting scrutiny and multiple lawsuits over its handling of teen safety and privacy, prompting it to strengthen parental controls and limit stranger contact with minors in recent years.
What different sources said
- EngadgetCenter
Snap will no longer allow younger teens' Spotlight videos to be publicly viewable
- TechCrunchCenter
Snapchat limits users under 16 to sharing Spotlights with friends
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