Snapchat has rolled out a new update to its Family Center, introducing enhanced tools that offer parents clearer visibility into how teenagers engage with the platform. The move comes amid growing concerns around screen time, digital well-being, and the role of parents in guiding online behavior.

The updated Family Center now includes insights into how teens spend their time across different sections of the app. Parents can view their teen’s average daily usage over the past week, with activity broken down by functions such as chatting, using the camera, exploring Snap Map, or watching content on Spotlight and Stories. This approach aims to provide meaningful context rather than raw screen-time numbers.

Another key addition focuses on friend connections. While Family Center already allowed parents to see their teen’s friends list and recent additions, the update now offers more background on new connections. Parents can view whether new friends share mutual connections, saved contacts, or belong to common communities, helping families better understand how teens are expanding their networks.

Snapchat has also introduced new safety and educational resources for parents. These include a video guide explaining how Family Center works and how its tools can be used effectively to encourage healthy digital habits. Importantly, the platform continues to emphasise that these features do not grant parents access to private messages, maintaining a balance between supervision and teen privacy.

Commenting on the update, Uthara Ganesh, head of Public Policy, APAC at Snap Inc., said the features are designed to support informed family conversations while respecting trust. As digital habits evolve, Snapchat says it remains committed to building transparent, easy-to-use safety tools that prioritize young people’s well-being without compromising autonomy.