Snapchat Introduces ‘The Keys’ Digital Safety Program for Teens and Parents
Snapchat has launched a new interactive digital literacy initiative, “The Keys”, designed to help teenagers and their parents better understand online risks and develop strategies for safer engagement on the platform.
Developed in partnership with Common Sense Media and reviewed by Snap’s Council for Digital Well-Being – a group of teenagers under 18 who provide feedback on safety initiatives—the program aims to address four main areas of concern for young users: bullying, illicit drug activity, nude or intimate image sharing, and sextortion. By tailoring the lessons to platform-specific features, Snap hopes to provide practical guidance directly applicable to Snapchat’s environment.
The course is structured in two parts: the first explores general online risks, while the second focuses on safety tools available within Snapchat. According to the company, the program takes about 45 minutes to complete. It incorporates videos, interactive reflections, and scenario-based learning to present realistic situations that teens may encounter. Snap also recommends that the course be completed with a parent, ensuring both teens and guardians are aligned on the safety measures available.
As the company explained: “Developed in collaboration with Common Sense Media, informed by safety experts, and reviewed by members of Snap’s teen Council for Digital Well-Being, this program aims to educate teens about four key risks they may face online – bullying, illicit drug activity, nude and intimate images, and sextortion – and teaches platform-specific skills for helping to stay safe on Snapchat.”
The rollout comes at a time of heightened scrutiny around Snapchat’s role in enabling harmful behavior online. Earlier the same day, a Danish research organization accused the platform of facilitating drug-related activity by allowing dealers to reach teens directly through private messages. Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model has long drawn criticism for potentially shielding such interactions from oversight.
