Middle East, 2 September 2024: Snapchat is widely used by teens in the GCC, and their digital wellbeing remains a top priority for adults in their lives, including parents and teachers. As teens head back to school, Snapchat is launching new safety tools and resources created specifically for educators.

These new resources were designed to help educators and school administrators understand how their students use Snapchat, the key protections available to students and schools, and the resources offered to assist schools in their efforts to create safe and supportive environments for students.

Educator’s Guide to Snapchat

Snap believes that staying connected with students means being familiar with popular online platforms, and as a result, is introducing a dedicated website to help educators do just that.

Snap’s Educator’s Guide to Snapchat includes an overview of how the platform works, ways Snapchat can be used positively within school communities, and information about safety tools and Community Guidelines. It also includes new videos highlighting Snap’s features for schools and safeguards for teens, as well asdownloadable resources that educators can share with parents, counselors and others to help students handle risks they may face online, including bullying and mental health concerns.

Educator Resources, Developed with Expert Partners

Snap partnered with Safe and Sound Schools in the U.S. to develop a comprehensive and practical toolkit for educators. Building on insights from teachers, mental health professionals and school resource officers about the impact of digital platforms on school environments, this toolkit was created to provide educators with the knowledge needed to support the safety and wellbeing of their students online, with a specific focus on understanding Snapchat.

Educator Feedback 

The platform has long empowered Snapchatters with easy-to-use tools for reporting a safety concern directly on the app including blocking accounts engaging in unwanted or inappropriate contact. Snapchat also offers online reporting tools for anyone who doesn’t have a Snapchat account, but would like to report an issue on behalf of themselves or others. Reports go straight to Snapchat’s safety teams, who work 24/7 to take appropriate action.