If social media apps were food, Snapchat might be the digital equivalent of candy: sweet, fun, and — if you ask Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach — a little too addictive for kids. And now, that “candy” has landed Snap, Inc. in court.
On September 23, Kobach announced a lawsuit against Snapchat’s parent company, alleging that the platform misled parents and teens about safety while designing features that fuel compulsive, harmful use.
How It Works
According to the lawsuit, Snapchat was marketed as safe for teens with ratings like “12+” and “T for Teen,” but in reality, the app contains adult content — profanity, nudity, sexual themes — that young users can easily access. The bigger accusation is that Snapchat’s design itself is addictive:
- Snapstreaks pressure teens into logging in daily to maintain friendships.
- Infinite scroll removes natural stopping points, encouraging endless use.
- Push notifications and rewards are tailored to keep young minds hooked.
Who’s Targeted
- Teenagers, especially in Kansas, but the concerns are universal.
- Parents, who rely on app ratings and company claims to decide if platforms are safe.
Real-Life Example
Kobach didn’t mince words: “Snapchat has been marketed as a safe place for teens. We allege it is not. The company knowingly designed an app with manipulative features that prey on the mental health of our children.”
Joseph Sciarrotta, advisor to the Attorney General, added that Snapchat’s design is a “digital trap for children,” pushing them into compulsive use and contributing to a broader youth mental health crisis.
Snap, Inc. fired back, saying user safety has always been a top priority, but admitted there’s no single feature that can eliminate every online risk.
Why You Should Care
If the allegations are true, the harm goes beyond Kansas. Parents everywhere could be relying on misleading ratings and marketing when deciding whether Snapchat is safe. For teens, the risk isn’t just wasted time — it’s addiction, mental health struggles, exposure to harmful content, and loss of trust in platforms that claim to protect them.
How to Protect Yourself (and Your Kids)
- Don’t rely solely on age ratings — check the platform yourself before allowing use.
- Talk openly with teens about addictive features like Snapstreaks and infinite scroll.
- Use parental control tools, but remember they’re not foolproof.
- Encourage “tech breaks” to reduce compulsive use.
- Stay updated on lawsuits and regulations that may reveal hidden risks.
Quick Tips & Updates
- Quick Tip #1: Did you know? The average teen spends nearly 5 hours a day on social media, and design choices like streaks are a big reason why.
- Quick Tip #2: Pro Tip — Treat social media apps like snacks: fine in moderation, but dangerous if unchecked.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keywords & Definitions
- Snapstreaks: A Snapchat feature that rewards users for sending snaps back and forth daily, creating pressure to keep logging in.
- Infinite Scroll: A design where content loads endlessly, removing natural breaks that encourage users to stop.
- Deceptive Acts: Misleading or false claims made by a company about a product’s safety, features, or risks.
- Unconscionable Acts: Practices considered unfair, exploitative, or harmful to consumers under law.
- Kansas Consumer Protection Act: A state law that prohibits deceptive or unconscionable business practices.
- Addictive Design: Features intentionally engineered to keep users engaged for long periods, often at the expense of their well-being.
To read more, kindly find source article here