Snap will implement an in-app warning system as well as other safety features to protect teen users

Snap, the developer of the social media app Snapchat, announced on Thursday that it will roll out in-app warnings and other measures internationally to provide better protection against online hazards to users aged 13 to 17. 

The measures will allow for safer conversations and searches, as well as display age-appropriate information to adolescent users.

Snap also announced a new Strike System for unsuitable accounts, as well as more education about common online threats.

According to Statista, India has the most Snapchat users, with a substantial proportion of them being Gen Z or millennials born after 1996.

When someone attempts to join a teen user as a buddy and they do not share mutual connections or the individual is not in the contact list, the in-app warnings feature displays a pop-up warning.

The Strike System will eliminate accounts that advertise and promote age-inappropriate content based on internal detection or reporting. According to the new system and guidelines, if an account repeatedly attempts to avoid rules, it will be banned.

Snap will also make available in-app material created in collaboration with Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) as crucial local tools for tackling issues like as mental health, responsible sharing, and online safety.

"Our most recent features are thoughtful in-app features designed to empower teens to make better choices and openly discuss staying safe online."

"We are committed to ensuring Snapchat is a place where you can be creative while remaining safe, and above all, the safety and well-being of our community in India, which includes over 200 million users, is our top priority," said Snap Head Public Policy-South Asia Uthara Ganesh.