Snapchat’s “The Keys”: 45-Minute Digital Safety Course for Teens
Source: Parents.com — Published Sep 10, 2025
What the Course Covers
Snapchat has launched “The Keys: A Guide to Digital Safety”, a 45-minute interactive program designed for teenagers. Created in partnership with Common Sense Media, it focuses on four of the most pressing risks teens face on social media:
-
Bullying and harassment
-
Illicit drug activity
-
Intimate image sharing (nudes)
-
Sextortion
The course is available on mobile, tablet, and desktop, and teens can complete it in one session or pause and return later. Importantly, Snapchat encourages teens to take the course with a parent or trusted adult, ensuring dialogue continues beyond the lessons.
How “The Keys” Works
-
Interactive lessons: Short educational videos, reflections, and practice exercises.
-
Two main parts: (1) understanding risks, (2) hands-on tutorial of Snapchat’s safety settings, privacy features, and reporting tools.
-
Flexible access: Teens can complete the course across different devices at their own pace.
Cyber Sqool Advice for Parents & Schools
For Parents
-
Take the course together: Use it to spark judgment-free conversations about bullying, sextortion, and image-sharing.
-
Review settings: Walk through Snapchat’s privacy and reporting tools with your teen.
-
Set boundaries: Agree on screen-time limits and clear steps for handling risky messages or contacts.
For Schools
-
Incorporate the course into digital literacy and citizenship programs.
-
Share guides about recognizing sextortion red flags and reporting safely.
-
Work with counselors to support students dealing with cyberbullying or image-based abuse.
Why This Matters
More than half of U.S. teens use Snapchat daily, making it a powerful channel for delivering online safety education. By combining structured lessons with active parental involvement, “The Keys” can help build media literacy, encourage safe behavior, and strengthen confidence to handle digital risks.
Related on Cyber Sqool
FAQ
Is the course free?
Yes. Snapchat provides it at no cost and recommends taking it with a trusted adult.
Do teens need a Snapchat account?
Not necessarily — while designed for Snapchat users, the lessons apply to social media safety in general.
What if my teen faces sextortion?
Stop all contact, save evidence, report through Snapchat, and contact local authorities. In Canada, use Cybertip.ca.
