Children falling for 'Snap' trap; what can parents do to avoid danger?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The future look can be predicted through just a 'snap'. The colour of the eyes and hair can be changed... With new features to trap teenagers on the American messaging app Snapchat, experts have called for caution. This app is a headache for parents as messages are coming from strangers. Other features include creating a childhood image using artificial intelligence and making stickers.

"Get a job as soon as you finish your studies. Just send your photo and biodata." A 17-year-old girl from Haryana received a message on Snapchat last week. It was only when he demanded money for the job that she realised that the person who introduced him as the HR of the world-famous MNC was a fake. There are groups that trap girls in fake love affairs to abuse them.

Scammers will live-stream videos by creating the look of movie directors using DeepFake. The children will send messages thinking it is a real account. Scammers will ask for hobbies and dreams. They will offer a chance in movies.

Though parents can find out who their children's friends are and whom they are talking to through the Family Center feature on Snapchat, they can't read the messages.

Will do anything

There are children who will do anything to chat with their friends continuously on the app. Snapstreak refers to sending snaps continuously for up to three days. There are children who give passwords to their friends for Snapstreak on days when the family restricts phone usage.

Snapchat