Snapchat has now officially launched The Keys: A Guide to Digital Safety, an interactive online program aimed to help teens and their parents navigate risks in digital spaces.
Developed in partnership with Common Sense Media, the program focuses on four major areas of concern to kids and teens: bullying, drug-related activities, sharing explicit images, and sextortion. It also offers guidance on how to use Snapchat’s built-in safety tools, privacy settings, and reporting features.
According to Snapchat, safety experts and the company’s Teen Council for Digital Well-Being reviewed The Keys. Inspired by driver’s education, the 45-minute program combines classroom-style instruction with interactive scenarios, videos, and activities to help teens practice responding to online threats in real life.
The program is divided into two parts
- General online risks that teenagers experience.
- Snapchat-specific tools to enhance safety on the app.
Importantly, Snap advises teens to take the course with a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult to spark open conversations about digital well-being.
Jacqueline Beauchere, Snap’s Global Head of Platform Safety, explained the initiative
“We created The Keys because we identified a gap in the market for teen-focused digital safety education. The program addresses some of the most severe scenarios that teenagers may encounter on the internet. We hope The Keys will equip teens with the confidence to think critically and independently about their online safety.”
Snap reports that the initiative targets to equip teens with practical tools to tackle online threats while enhancing their communication with caregivers.
