Story highlights
Message-sharing app Snapchat rolls out SnapKidz
13-and-under version allows creating, but not sending, "snaps"
Move may be effort to fight "sexting app" label
Snapchat, the app that sends automatically-deleting messages, has proven to be hugely popular among teens and young adults, but until now, it restricted anyone under the age of 13 from using it.
On Saturday, Snapchat decided to change their policy by introducing an update that lets younger users register for a more limited version of the app, which the startup has dubbed SnapKidz.
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“Instead they are able to use ‘SnapKidz’ a version of Snapchat that includes an interface for taking snaps, captioning, drawing, and saving them locally on the device, but does not support sending or receiving snaps or adding friends,” the company wrote in a blog post.
In essence, SnapKidz is just a photo and drawing app for kids, which lacks Snapchat’s main feature: sending messages. The kid-friendly option is currently only available as part of an update to the iOS app, but may roll out to Android in the future.
The move comes as Snapchat is reportedly looking to raise a big new round of funding. By introducing a more PG-version of the app for younger users, Snapchat may be able to boost its user numbers and change the perception that it is simply a tool for sexting.
Of course, users can also lie about their age and continue using the app’s full features.
Do you think Snapchat will find success among younger users? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This article originally appeared on Mashable.
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