Why is Snapchat Discover So Inappropriate?

Snapchat is a popular social media platform, particularly among younger generations, where users can send photos and videos, share stories, and explore new content. One of the key features of Snapchat is Snapchat Discover, a section of the app that allows users to access curated content, including news, entertainment, and influencer-driven media. While this section may seem like a fun and informative way to stay connected with the world, many have raised concerns over the appropriateness of the content featured in Snapchat Discover. In this article, we’ll delve into why some users find Snapchat Discover problematic and why it might be considered inappropriate by certain audiences.

What is Snapchat Discover?

Snapchat Discover is a feature within the app that enables users to access content from a variety of publishers, including media outlets, entertainment companies, and influencers. The content in Discover is tailored to users’ interests and viewing habits. It includes news articles, short-form videos, lifestyle content, and advertisements. The Discover feed is refreshed daily with new posts and can cover a wide range of topics, from pop culture to politics.

Snapchat Discover also offers users an opportunity to engage with content in a more interactive way than traditional news sources. However, despite its popularity, it has garnered significant criticism for its potentially inappropriate content, especially when it comes to the platform’s younger audience.

1. Inappropriate Content for Younger Audiences

One of the primary reasons why Snapchat Discover is often considered inappropriate is the nature of its content, which may not always be suitable for younger users. Snapchat is widely used by teens, and many of them engage with Discover regularly. However, much of the content available in this section includes mature themes, such as:

• Explicit language: Some content on Snapchat Discover contains language that is inappropriate for younger users. This includes swearing, crude humor, and explicit phrases, which can be easily accessible to those who may not yet fully understand the implications or consequences of such language.
• Sexual content and suggestive themes: Some Discover stories feature sexual content or suggestive imagery, which can be inappropriate for users under the age of 18. These stories may focus on celebrity gossip, scandalous topics, or adult-themed media that could encourage harmful ideas or body image issues for impressionable viewers.
• Violence and controversial topics: Discover also features content that includes discussions of violence, crime, or other sensitive topics. This can range from stories about ongoing conflicts, graphic images, or content that glorifies violence. While some users might be able to handle these topics, younger audiences may not have the maturity or understanding required to process such information appropriately.
• Influencer-driven content: Many influencers use Snapchat Discover to promote their brands and lifestyles. Unfortunately, some influencers’ content revolves around materialism, unrealistic body standards, or glorifying unhealthy habits, such as unhealthy dieting practices or risky behavior. For a young, impressionable audience, this can set harmful examples.

2. Lack of Age-Based Content Control

Unlike other platforms that provide stricter content controls, Snapchat Discover has limited options for filtering content based on the user’s age or preferences. Although Snapchat requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app, there is no clear distinction between content that is appropriate for teenagers and that which is appropriate for adults.

While Snapchat does include content from traditional news outlets and educational sources, much of Discover’s programming is driven by algorithms designed to increase engagement, meaning more sensational, provocative, and sometimes inappropriate content may be more likely to appear in users’ feeds. For a platform that’s largely used by teens, this lack of age-based filtering can result in harmful exposure to content that may not be suitable for their age group.

3. The Pressure to Conform to Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Many of the stories and videos on Snapchat Discover feature influencers, models, and celebrities promoting an idealized image of beauty and lifestyle. From heavily edited photos to advertisements for cosmetic products, Discover often contributes to the pressure young users may feel to conform to these unrealistic beauty standards.

• Filters and retouching: Snapchat itself is a platform known for its use of filters, which can significantly alter how users look in photos and videos. While these filters can be fun, they also contribute to the normalization of unrealistic beauty ideals. When users see influencers or celebrities heavily using filters on Discover, it can lead to issues like low self-esteem or body dissatisfaction.
• Influencer culture: Snapchat Discover features many influencers who have millions of followers, and they often portray a glamorous lifestyle that may not be attainable for the average teen. This lifestyle can often seem as if it’s built on materialism, excessive consumerism, and body-consciousness. For younger users, it can create an unhealthy desire for fame, material goods, and perfection, leading to feelings of inadequacy.

4. Lack of Clear Content Moderation

While Snapchat claims to follow community guidelines to ensure appropriate content, the reality is that content moderation on Snapchat Discover is not always effective. As a result, some highly inappropriate content can slip through the cracks.

• Sensationalism and clickbait: Discover’s algorithm tends to prioritize sensational content that draws attention and generates engagement. This often leads to clickbait headlines and misleading stories that can misinform users, causing unnecessary drama or confusion. For example, headlines that promise shocking revelations or gossip may lure in users without providing any valuable or educational content.
• Misinformation: Another concern is the spread of misinformation. With an audience that is primarily young, the content shown on Snapchat Discover may not always be vetted properly. Sometimes, users may come across inaccurate or misleading information, particularly when it comes to political stories, health advice, or other controversial issues. Without proper fact-checking, this misinformation can spread, leading to confusion or misguidance.

5. Advertisements and Sponsored Content

Snapchat Discover is not only a platform for entertainment but also a source of income for the company and influencers who post. As a result, many Discover stories are sponsored advertisements that promote brands, products, or services. While advertisements are not inherently inappropriate, the sheer volume of ads—especially those targeted at younger users—can be overwhelming.

• Targeted ads: Since Snapchat has access to detailed user data, it can deliver ads tailored to the interests of users, including those under 18. While this may not seem harmful at first glance, it can lead to young users being targeted with ads promoting products or lifestyles that may be inappropriate or damaging, such as luxury goods, unhealthy food, or beauty products promising unattainable results.

What Can Be Done?

While some of the issues with Snapchat Discover can be attributed to the nature of social media itself, there are steps that can be taken to make the platform safer and more appropriate for younger users:

1. Better Content Filtering: Snapchat could improve its content filtering mechanisms to provide more control for users and parents to customize what type of content appears in Discover. Age-based filtering, improved parental controls, and an emphasis on educational or age-appropriate material would help alleviate many concerns.
2. Increased Accountability for Influencers: Influencers should be held to a higher standard of responsibility when promoting products, services, or lifestyles to younger audiences. This could include clearer guidelines around what constitutes harmful or inappropriate content.
3. Stronger Content Moderation: Snapchat could invest in better moderation tools to detect and remove inappropriate content in Discover. This includes keeping a closer eye on sensational, misleading, or harmful material that could affect vulnerable users.
4. User Education: Educating young users about the potential harms of certain content—such as body image issues, misinformation, and the dangers of consumerism—could help them navigate Snapchat Discover with a more critical eye.

Conclusion

While Snapchat Discover provides a fun and engaging way to access media and entertainment, its content is often considered inappropriate for younger users. The platform’s mix of explicit language, sexual content, influencer-driven material, and sensationalist news can have negative impacts on teens, making it crucial for Snapchat to implement stronger content moderation and filtering options. Until then, parents, guardians, and users themselves need to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to manage their social media consumption responsibly.