Snapchat, TikTok, and the Myth of “Private”: A Safety Lens for Teens and ParentsÂ
Are Snapchat and TikTok actually dangerous for teens? The real risk isn’t the apps themselves—it’s how they blur privacy, permanence, and performance in ways adolescent brains aren’t equipped to manage. Drawing on clinical work and lived parenting experience, this post explains how online harm often unfolds, why shame makes safety worse, and how families can use practical, non-judgmental tools to help teens protect their agency, make safer choices, and ask for help before mistakes become permanent.
