Main features
Platforms like Snapchat and Whatsapp offer a way to send direct messages to individuals or group chats. These can include text, voice notes, photos or video.
Potential risks
Ofcom data suggests that the most common potential harms on these types of platforms are:
With these harms, it is important to differentiate between problematic behaviour and harmful behaviour where there is a risk to safety, such as an adult contacting a child.
How to set up an account
Almost any app will require the same details to create an account and access its content:
- username (usually an email or the phone’s linked Google or Apple account)
- password
There may be requests for additional information, such as name, address or phone number – these are not always required.
These links explain how to register for and set up an account on the most popular platforms:
Using platform settings to manage risk
Each platform will have a setting for security and privacy – this can be used to control a number of aspects, including:
- who can see posts or media
- who can contact or follow you
These links explain how to use settings to reduce the potential risks of unwanted contact, being tagged in abusive or bullying content, or seeing inappropriate or unwanted content on the most popular platforms:
How to report harmful conduct
If a user thinks they have been potentially harmed on the platform they should be aware of how to report this to the platform and potentially the police and trusted adults.
These links explain how to report users and content on the most popular platforms: