As more and more social media platforms introduce AI into their services, they’re all looking for one thing to help train their AI models. Data. And in many cases that means your child’s data – especially anything they made public.
Snapchat have enabled by default a setting that could allow the platform to use public posts photos, videos, voice and even text all to train its AI tools. Most parents and even young people don’t realise this setting exists, and it is switched on by default. In fact it also caught me off guard.
So in this post, I want to break down what the setting means, why it matters and the simple steps you can take to make sure your young person stays in control of what they share online.
Hidden inside Snapchat’s privacy menu is an option called “Allow Use of Public Content.”
When this is turned on and it is by default, Snapchat can use anything your young person shares publicly such as:
This public content can then be fed into the platform’s generative AI systems to help improve features within the app.
For adults, this might feel like yet another tech decision we didn’t knowingly agree to. For children and teens, who often share impulsively and don’t fully understand privacy boundaries, it is a much bigger concern.
Young people post quickly. They experiment. They joke around. They share snippets of their world without thinking about long term consequences.
And while this setting does not affect private Snaps or chats, anything public could be used by Snapchat to train AI systems.
1. It increases their digital footprint
Content that feels harmless or “just for fun” can become part of a much larger data set.
2. It reduces control
Once something is used to train AI, it is extremely difficult to take it back.
3. Most users don’t know it is happening
Because the setting is on by default, your child may have unknowingly opted into something they don’t fully understand.
This isn’t about fear. It is about making informed decisions and helping our children do the same.
If you want to review this together with your child, it only takes a minute.
Open Snapchat → Settings → My Privacy and Data → Generative AI Settings → Toggle off “Allow Use of Public Content.”
This is a great opportunity for a chilled chat about how AI works, why platforms collect data and how your young person can stay in control of what they share online.
Here are three easy conversation starters to keep the discussion supportive and open.
“Do you know Snapchat can use your public posts to train its AI?”
Helps them understand why privacy matters.
“Let’s check your settings together.”
Keeps the tone supportive, not policing.
“I’m not trying to stop you using Snapchat – just helping you stay in control.”
Reassures them that this is about empowerment, not restriction.
AI isn’t going away. In fact, nearly every platform your child uses will introduce more AI powered features over the next year. That means settings like this will become more common.
Staying informed, checking privacy controls and keeping open conversations with young people are the best ways to help them stay safe, confident and in control of their digital world.
If you’d like to stay up to date with quick, practical guidance on online safety without feeling overwhelmed, our Parents App is a great place to start.
Inside the app you’ll find:
It’s designed to help parents and caregivers feel more confident, informed and prepared in a fast moving digital world.
👉 Download the Parents App today and stay one step ahead.
Wayne
Remember to share it with your family & friends.
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