Changes to the Snapmap + Contemplating Snap's AI Chatbot

read closely

This week I tell you about two Snapchat details that are rather timely: a Snapmap update being billed as an expansion of parental controls and the deal with Snap’s AI Chatbot, including how to turn it off for your kid.

I also share my new favorite time management gadget and paid subscribers get two bonus items—a tutorial on fixing your Spotify algorithm so you don’t wind up with Cat Flushing a Toilet as the #1 in your Spotify UnWrapped (IYKYK) + where it find the custom Holiday Ringtones for your Ring doorbell. Let’s go!

SnapMap Update

Late Friday I was scrolling Linkedin, as I do, when I came across a post announcing the expansion of Snapmap Parental Controls (see it here).

What changed

The Snapmap on Snapchat allows users to share their location with their friends. The new update allows parents to:

• request their teen’s location or share their own

• see who their teen is sharing location with

• set notifications for when a teen arrives at up to 3 locations

Snap is positioning this as an expansion of parental controls and as a free alternative to location sharing apps like Life360 embedded in the app your kid is already using.

Here’s the problem

You still can’t manage the map settings of your teen as a parent!

This “upgrade” is like going to your doctor to get a suspicious mole checked and walking out with a prescription for reading glasses instead. Um…Thank you? But not at all what I actually need. And also you seem to be focused on the wrong things?

If Snapchat were serious about Snapmap safety, they would allow parents to manage their teen’s Snapmap settings— turn on ghostmode, block users or turn the map off for them completely. They would also make parental controls automatic. Snap Parental Controls are currently voluntary meaning a teen can reject parental supervision at any time.

Also

And maybe this is just me being snarky because I am mad— this story appears to have been quietly placed in small local news outlets. The video I saw is from a local news affiliate in Austin. It was posted on a Friday. When Snap first rolled out parental controls in 2022—they were on the freakin’ Today Show (watch here)!

What Parents Should Do

If you’ve told your kids not to use Snapmap, do not mistake this “upgrade” as a sign that the Snapmap is now safe.

If you do allow your kids to use the Snapmap, use these new map controls. Its possible your teen will be so horrified that they actually stop using the map or start using Ghostmode more… that might actually be the win here?!

For more on setting up parental controls on Snapchat go here.

Snapchat’s My AI

What it is

My AI is a chatbot on Snapchat that uses AI to have conversations with users. Users can chat with My AI directly or mention it in conversations. My AI responds to user input by typing or speaking, and it can answer questions, make recommendations, and help with tasks

Why its worrisome

With all AI there is always a chance of misinformation. More urgently, there was recently a story in the news about a young boy who appeared to form an unhealthy attachment to an AI Chatbot and that relationship allegedly contributed to this boy’s decision to take his own life (story here). To be clear this did NOT happen on Snapchat. But Snapchat does have an an AI Chatbot so its worth flagging.

Is it safe?

I don’t know. AI feels like the wild west to me. Probably our kids are better off not chatting with AI Chatbots.

What parents can do

Disable My AI which parents can do from the Snap Parental Controls.

Find 'My AI' under Recent Conversations, then use the toggle to disable My AI. After My AI is disabled, My AI will be blocked from responding to your teen.

Worth Flagging

The Brick

This is a 3D printed device that you use to lock yourself out of distracting apps (and their notifications on your phone. I wrote about how I was buying one to test out a few months ago. I’m a little obsessed with it. I know parents who use it to help kids with smartphone time management. I use it personally to help me take social media breaks. Learn more here

Events

• December 3rd at 7pm I will be joining the Armonk Ok To Delay Chapter for a Fireside Chat at the IBM Learning Center. Join us! Register here.

Bonus Content For Paid Subscribers

Paid subscribers read on for exactly how to preserve your Spotify UnWrapped.