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Snapchat will disable friend suggestions by default for UK under-18s
Snapchat is rolling out a change in the UK that will turn off its Find Friends feature by default for users under 18. The move matters because Ofcom has criticised the company’s protections for children and says the change should reduce the risk of unwanted contact.
Find Friends uses details such as a user’s age, location and existing connections to suggest people to add. Ofcom says Snap plans to introduce stronger age checks by the end of the year and will be held to the rollout this month; it can fine companies up to £18 million or 10 per cent of qualifying worldwide revenue. The UK is also considering a social media ban for under-16s, while the EU has opened an investigation into Snap’s protections for young users.
In short
- Find Friends will be off by default for UK users under 18.
- Ofcom says stronger age checks are due by year-end.
- Snap faces scrutiny in the UK and EU.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Turning off friend suggestions by default for under-18s could reduce unwanted contact by making it harder for strangers or distant connections to find young users through age, location and social links. Given Ofcom’s concerns, stronger age checks and a clear deadline may help ensure the change protects children in practice, while regulatory penalties provide accountability.
The case against
A default restriction may limit teenagers’ ability to find classmates, friends or supportive communities, especially when they have recently changed schools or social circles. A broad age-based setting could be less useful than giving families and young people clear controls, and the rollout should be assessed carefully to ensure it reduces risk without unnecessarily restricting legitimate connections.
Explained simply
Snapchat is a social media app where people send messages and share photos and videos. Its Find Friends feature suggests accounts to connect with, using information such as age, location and existing contacts.
Ofcom is the UK regulator for online safety. It has raised concerns about how Snap protects children, and rules introduced under the Online Safety Act allow it to fine companies that fail to meet their duties. The UK is also considering restrictions on under-16s using social media, while the European Union is examining Snapchat’s protections for young users.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Snapchat’s Find Friends feature will be off by default for UK users under 18”.