Snapchat Introduces New Spotlight Sharing Restrictions for Users Under 16

Snapchat is rolling out new safety measures to protect younger users from privacy risks, including doxxing, by limiting how teens can share content on Spotlight.

Under the updated rules, users aged 13 to 15 will only be able to share Spotlight posts with people they follow and who follow them back. Snapchat also said users under 16 will have a separate profile experience for Stories and Spotlight content, with engagement metrics, such as favourite counts, hidden to reduce social pressure.

Previously, younger users could share Spotlight posts publicly, although those posts were not linked to their profiles, preventing strangers from making direct contact.

For users aged 16 to 18, Spotlight posts can still be shared publicly, but visibility will be restricted to friends, followers, and users with mutual connections. Parents will also be able to monitor how much time their children spend on features such as Stories and Spotlight through Snapchat’s Family Centre.

The platform already blocks strangers from sending friend requests and direct messages to teenagers. Snapchat also displays warning messages when teens begin conversations with unfamiliar users and limits access to certain types of content.

The changes follow a broader industry trend toward stronger protections for younger users. Platforms such as Instagram have introduced specialised teen accounts and additional safety controls in recent years.

Earlier this year, Snap settled a lawsuit alleging that its platform contributed to social media addiction, while continuing to defend itself against similar cases across the United States.

In a recent CNBC interview, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel cited research suggesting Snapchat has a positive effect on users by helping them stay connected with friends, arguing that the platform differs from services such as TikTok and Instagram.