Snapchat has added a new element to its Family Center, which will enable parents to restrict the content that their kids see in the app, while it's also looking to provide more transparency into its content guidelines to help parents and regular users better understand how it ranks and distributes uploads.

First off, on the Family Center update - Snapchat's new sensitive content toggle within the Family Center control panel will give parents more peace of mind about their kids not being exposed to offensive material in the app.
Snap says :

"Our new Content Controls in Family Center will allow parents to filter out Stories from publishers or creators that may have been identified as sensitive or suggestive. To enable Content Controls, parents will need to have an existing Family Center set up with their teen."

Its Family Center, which Snapchat launched in August last year, lets parents see who their kids are talking to on the app but doesn't give them access to the actual messages-thus not infringing on the child's privacy. That gives an added layer of assurance and insight, and new sensitive content controls will give parents even more peace of mind about the way their child is using the app.

But the bigger update, at least from a more broad relevance perspective, is this - Snapchat is publishing its Content Guidelines for the first time, which will give full insight into how it vets and moderates content in both Stories and Spotlight.
We have always shared these guidelines with our media partners and Snap Stars. We are publishing these full content guidelines for anyone to read so that we can provide greater transparency into the stronger standards we set for public-facing content and into our eligibility requirements for distribution.

All the rules on what Snap permits within the app - and, of course, what's eligible for recommendation, sensitive, or banned from being distributed within the app.

Most of these are pretty much as you'd expect: sexualized content, violence, hate speech, etc.
And then there's this proviso, which also caught my attention:

"Overt solicitation from non-approved creators - This includes any call-to-action, such as "buy now," links to purchase, discount codes, pricing information, etc."

Only approved creators can use 'buy now' type CTAs in their content, or Snap will limit your content reach. Good to know.
These guidelines give creators and marketers some valuable insight on how to maximize their exposure in the app, but they will also assure parents on many levels regarding how Snap monitors and moderates content their children might see.

Finally, Snap also states that it will add a new feature soon to its Family Center, through which parents will have a level of oversight on the use of its 'My AI' element by their kids.

Snapchat added My AI last month. It was giving users the ability to interact with an AI chatbot within the app. The app introduced generative AI elements similar to those used in ChatGPT.

But reportedly, My AI may pose a risk in some areas as some users have complained that the bot has disclosed information on drugs and alcohol besides how to hide things from your parents.

Generative AI is still an unknown element in many respects because the system literally generates new responses on the spot. As such, Snap will be looking to provide additional assurance around such, while it will also add controls so parents can stop their kids using My AI if they feel unsure about this element.

My AI is currently only available to Snapchat+ subscribers.

These are good additions, both for parents and for general users, with some valuable insights into how Snap works and what it restricts in the app.

And while parents are the main focus, there's some key insight for marketers too, which could help to guide your Snap content approach.