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How to Use Snapchat AI for Homework: A Comprehensive Guide

Snapchat AI has become a game-changer for students looking to tackle their homework more efficiently . This innovative tool, integrated into the popular social media platform, offers a range of features that can assist with various academic tasks. From solving complex math problems to providing quick answers to general knowledge questions, Snapchat AI has the potential to revolutionize how students approach their assignments.

While Snapchat AI presents exciting opportunities to enhance homework productivity, it’s crucial to use it responsibly. This guide will explore how to set up and use Snapchat AI for different types of homework, including math, science, and language studies. We’ll also discuss best practices to ensure students use this tool ethically and effectively, addressing concerns about plagiarism and the importance of developing critical thinking skills alongside AI assistance.

Setting Up Snapchat AI for Homework Help

My AI is powered by advanced language models like  GPT3.5 and GPT4  from OpenAI, with additional safety enhancements specific to Snapchat. This chatbot can help with various tasks, from answering trivia questions to offering advice on gifts or planning trips. However, users should be aware that My AI’s responses may sometimes contain biased, incorrect, or misleading content, so it’s crucial to  verify information independently  .

To personalize the experience, users can customize My AI’s Bitmoji avatar. This can be done by accessing the Friendship Profile with My AI, tapping the 3D Bitmoji header, and then customizing the avatar’s appearance and outfit.

Leveraging Snapchat AI for Different Homework Types

Snapchat AI offers various features to assist students with their homework. The My AI chatbot,  powered by advanced language models  like GPT3.5 and GPT4, can help with a range of academic tasks. Students can use it to answer trivia questions, plan trips, or get advice on various topics. For math and science homework, Snapchat’s AI can provide problem-solving assistance. Users can  take a photo of their math equation  using Snapchat’s camera and use the AI captions feature to generate explanations. This tool scans the image and attempts to provide relevant information, though its effectiveness depends on the clarity of the photo. For research and fact-checking, My AI can offer quick answers, but students should  verify the information independently  as responses may not always be current or accurate. The AI can also support writing and editing tasks, helping students generate ideas and structure their work.

Best Practices for Using Snapchat AI Responsibly

While Snapchat AI offers exciting possibilities for homework assistance, it’s crucial to use it responsibly. Students should understand that My AI, powered by advanced language models, has limitations and  may not always provide accurate information  . It’s essential to verify information independently and not rely solely on the chatbot for emotional support or entertainment. Parents and educators can play a vital role in promoting responsible use by setting boundaries, monitoring usage, and encouraging open communication about AI interactions. To protect personal information, users should be cautious about sharing details within the chat. Snapchat suggests  using parental control options  to help keep young people safe from potentially inappropriate content. By fostering a balanced approach and maintaining academic integrity, students can leverage Snapchat AI as a helpful tool while developing critical thinking skills and real-world connections.

Snapchat AI has shown its potential to be a game-changer in the realm of homework assistance. Its ability to help with various academic tasks, from solving math problems to answering general knowledge questions, has an impact on how students approach their assignments. However, it’s crucial to remember that this tool should be used as a supplement to learning, not a replacement for critical thinking and independent research.

To make the most of Snapchat AI for homework, students need to strike a balance between leveraging its capabilities and maintaining academic integrity. By using it responsibly, verifying information independently, and following best practices, students can harness the power of AI to enhance their learning experience. In the end, Snapchat AI is a tool to support education, and its effectiveness depends on how wisely and ethically it is used.

How can I use Snapchat AI to help with my homework? To use Snapchat’s My AI for homework assistance, start by typing @myai in any chat window within Snapchat, then select My AI. You can then pose questions or prompts directly in the chat, and My AI will provide answers or guidance.

Is it possible for schools to detect if I’m using Snapchat AI for my homework? Yes, tools like Turnitin can identify up to 98% of content generated by AI, including that from Snapchat AI.

Can AI tools be used effectively for homework? Absolutely! AI tools can significantly aid in understanding complex subjects, staying organized, and enhancing skills in various academic areas.

What are some ways to use Snapchat AI for different types of homework? Snapchat AI can be utilized for various homework tasks including problem-solving, research and fact-checking, as well as writing and editing support.

What should I consider to use Snapchat AI responsibly for homework? When using Snapchat AI, it’s important to recognize its limitations, avoid becoming overly dependent on it, and maintain academic integrity in your work.

How to Use Snapchat AI for Homework? Or ai tool for homework

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Snapchat ‘My AI’ Chatbot: What Is It, How Does It Work, How to Use, and More

What is Snapchat’s ChatGPT ‘My AI’ Bot?

Say hi to My AI 👻 pic.twitter.com/mZW0TNEuJj — Snapchat (@Snapchat) February 27, 2023

Snapchat My AI is based on OpenAI’s GPT technology and likely uses the latest GPT 3.5 language model. Since it is based on the same technology, it works in similar ways to other ChatGPT-like apps . However, Snapchat mentions that the more the user interacts with the AI, the better it gets to know them. So yeah, the chatbot essentially evolves as you converse with it.

What Can Snapchat’s ‘My AI’ Assistant Do?

How to Use Snapchat ‘My AI’ Chatbot on iOS & Android

How to remove snapchat ‘my ai’ from your chat feed.

If you’re among a lot of users who are not interested in using Snapchat My AI, you can go ahead and disable the chatbot. You can unpin its chat and even remove it entirely . We already have a guide in place on how to get rid of Snapchat’s My AiI bot from the chat feed . But, we’ve briefly explained how to remove the “My AI” conversation from your chat feed altogether here.

Snapchat My AI does store your conversations in the chat tab. The records remain there until you delete them. While this might seem like a privacy concern, Snapchat servers are generally safe and your data should remain safe. Nonetheless, if you’re not okay with this, you can follow the steps above to remove the Snapchat AI chatbot from your feed.

Upanishad Sharma

Combining his love for Literature and Tech, Upanishad dived into the world of technology journalism with fire. Now he writes about anything and everything while keeping a keen eye on his first love of gaming. Often found chronically walking around the office.

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Snapchat's new scan ar platform can solve math problems with your camera.

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Snapchat’s camera has officially morphed into an augmented reality platform - and it has so much potential for both Snap and its users.

If you're thinking, "Wait, didn't Snapchat already do AR stuff?" You're right; it did. Snapchat's lenses can change your face into a puking rainbow, or they can overlay your Bitmoji avatar onto your surroundings. But, going forward, the app's camera will be able to do a lot more than that.

Snap is unveiling a new initiative called Scan, and it's expected to roll out to all users soon. It's an augmented reality platform that allows companies to create new augmented reality experiences that utilise Snapchat’s camera. Upon launch, Scan will feature a partnership with Photomath, helping users solve math problems just by pointing their camera at the problem.

• What are Snap Games, how do they work, and which titles are available?

It will also have a Giphy integration that works by detecting objects and surfacing GIFs on users' screens in order to help them find the perfect GIF to match the moment. Any interested developers can contact Snap to find out more about working with the platform.

This isn’t exactly new territory for Snapchat. The app’s camera could already use Shazam to identify songs or work with Amazon to help you purchase things you’ve found in the world. Scan represents an ambitious step forward in that kind of thinking. It’s also another avenue Snap is exploring to make its app generate revenue. It's throwing everything at the wall, at this point.

• What is Snapchat, how does it work, and what is it used for?

The goal is to spur user engagement and increase ad revenue. For instance, the announcement of Scan comes just off the heels of a new mobile gaming platform inside Snapchat. Still, there are hurdles to Scan becoming a huge success for Snap. Snapchat's growth had stalled and even began to drop off a cliff after Instagram Stories debuted, so now Snap says it's focused on engagement.

Apparently, 75 per cent of Snap’s 186 million daily users play with Lenses each day. Snap even revealed at an event this week that, “In the US, Snapchat now reaches nearly 75 percent of all 13- to 34-year-olds, and we reach 90 percent of 13 to 24-year-olds". But Snap still acknowledged it will need to come up with a way to not only attract users, but now, developers as well to Scan.

Time will only tell.

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Teach.com / Resources

6 Snapchat Projects for a Classroom

October 23, 2017 

Instead of struggling to stop your students from using Snapchat during class, how about encouraging them? We all know just how popular the social media platform is with the younger generations. In fact, a large proportion of Snapchat users are yet to graduate from high school. So how about harnessing this engagement for your educational ends by incorporating Snapchat into a lesson plan?

Firstly, for the uninitiated, what is Snapchat? Snapchat is one of the newest social media platforms. When parents and teachers started joining Facebook, their children and students flocked to this new network. It was a place to chat and communicate free from the watchful eye of older generations.

Snapchat allows users to send a ten second video to someone else. Once viewed, this video then disappears. More recently, Snapchat users have been able to add these mini-videos into a daily “story”. This story will last for 24 hours before also disappearing. It’s mainly used as a quick, low-budget and ephemeral way to document a person’s daily life experiences. But it can also be put to great use in the classroom.

Here are six Snapchat projects to get your students excited, engaged and, most importantly, learning:

1.) Be Journalists for The Day

Whether you’re at school or off on a field trip, ask your students to be journalists for the day. You could split them into groups, asking them to cover a different topic and document their findings. They could talk to camera, conduct interviews or annotate an image (this is another excellent Snapchat feature). Using Snapchat they can create a story of videos, each of which will reveal a little more about their assigned topic.

2.) Short Video Stories

Part creative writing, part video media project, get your students to plan a short filmed story. They’ll need to put some thought into how they want to present their mini-film. Maybe they could produce a storyboard first or a written narration. Then get them to create their video from the plans before showing it off to the rest of the class.

3.) Real World Examples

This is great project for a science class. If you’ve been discussing gravity or magnetism or osmosis, get your students to do a homework project with Snapchat. They could capture real world examples of science in action. Being able to relate their learning to everyday life can really help to cement the knowledge. And doing that with a platform they love is sure to help too.

4.) Collaborative Storytelling

This is a fun way to involve the whole class in a storytelling exercise. Get a student to begin the story with a Snapchat video. The next student within the group then has to continue the story with their own video addition before continuing onto the next. Depending on the age of your students, you can discuss story arcs beforehand so your Snapchat story has a definite beginning, middle and end. Or you could get students to create a story in a particular genre.

5.) Caption Competition

With Snapchat’s annotation function, you can get students to create a caption for an image you send to them. This could be used for a language class, encouraging students to use a foreign language to describe a scene they see before them.

6.) Create a Timeline

Whether you’re looking at phases of the moon or a period in history, you can get students to document a timeline using Snapchat. With their own presentations, drawings or real life examples, they can create a useful and memorable representation of events in the correct order.

Final Thoughts

Getting to grips with Snapchat is easier than you think. Set up a class account and get creative with your Snapchat projects. They’re sure to spark your students’ interest and get them invested in whichever topic you’re working on.

Corinne Ledling is a Content Manager at  Bizstats.co.uk.  She loves to share her knowledge and experience with technology in education.

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A new tool helps teachers detect if AI wrote an assignment

Janet W. Lee

Several big school districts such as New York and Los Angeles have blocked access to a new chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to produce essays. One student has a new tool to help.

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Snapstreaks, half-swipes & ghost mode: how snapchat is changing the way teens communicate.

by Rita Templeton

Rita Templeton

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“[Snapchat’s] visual and instant nature, living in the moment and then automatically disappearing, appeals to Gen Z’s sense of instant connection and more authentic communication,” Dr. Alexa Chilcutt , Executive Education Faculty at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, tells SheKnows. “Users don’t feel the added pressure of creating a message that lives on for others to see and judge.”

According to a Pew Research study on teens , social media, and technology, Snapchat moved above Instagram in 2023, with 60 percent of teens saying they use Snapchat and 59 percent using Instagram, compared to 62 percent using Instagram and 59 percent using Snapchat last year, and 52 percent on Instagram and just 41 percent on Snapchat in 2014-2015. And as we talked to our panel of Gen Z boys as part of SheKnows’ ongoing Be a Man series , we found that Snapchat reigned supreme as the teenage panelists’ favorite method of communicating with their friends and was among their most frequently used apps.

My own 19-year-old confirms this — through an interesting restaurant analogy. “There’s a certain intention that you get from somebody if you give them your number … it automatically feels more professional. But if you want to be friends with that person, add their Snapchat, because it’s like a separate way of doing things. It’s the modernized way,” he said. “To be honest, it’s like the difference between an Olive Garden and a Denny’s. Would you rather go to an Olive Garden at midnight or a Denny’s?” The correct answer: Denny’s — “because that’s where the party is. Snapchat is a little bit more ‘dingy’ … I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just less professional than iMessage, and it seems like it’s made for Gen Z.”

Snapchat also appeals to another aspect of communication prized by Gen Zers: authenticity. The fleeting nature of ephemeral messaging encourages more authentic and spontaneous communication. Users are less likely to overthink their words or edit their messages, leading to more genuine interactions.

And finally, one of the most compelling draws to Snapchat is its perceived sense of privacy — not only through the disappearing messages but through the use of emojis that we oldsters can’t always clearly understand. “Because of its quick and temporary nature, I’ve noticed that Gen Z’s communication tends to be more concise, short-handed, and to the point with more reliance on acronyms, which is in line with the desire for more privacy as these are essentially coded messages for older generations,” Dr. Christine DeVore, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, tells SheKnows.

Criticisms and Concerns

Unfortunately, the very things that make Snapchat appealing to teens are the things that seem, well, downright alarming when you’re a parent. (Common Sense Media has a helpful guide for parents that explains how it works in detail.) 

“Your messages delete,” reports 16-year-old Calder. “And you can send pictures of yourself as well … to, like, either people that you know or you don’t know. You can add random people … and kinda see what they’re doing.” One teen we spoke to said Snapchat was “designed for teenagers to text each other and send nudes. Because why else would the photos disappear?”

But though the ephemeral element provides users with confidence that what they’re putting out there isn’t permanent, there are always methods of getting around it. Even the company admits this; on Snapchat’s Apple store app page , it says, “Please note: Snapchatters can always capture or save your messages by taking a screenshot, using a camera, or otherwise. Be mindful of what you Snap!”

The DEA has issued warnings about the ephemeral messaging on Snapchat , among other social media platforms, via their “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. “Drug traffickers advertise on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. These advertisements are in disappearing, 24-hour stories and in posts, which are promptly posted and removed,” the agency says. “Posts and stories are often accompanied by known code words and emojis that are used to market and sell illicit and deadly drugs on social media. These code words and emojis are designed to evade detection by law enforcement and by the preset algorithms used by social media platforms.” (A marijuana dealer might have a leaf or a flame emoji by their username, for example; a cocaine dealer, an 8-ball or snowflake emoji, which look innocuous to those unaware of what they stand for — i.e. their parents, as Dr. DeVore points out.)

Also worth a raised eyebrow is the “Snap Map” feature; it uses a phone’s GPS to show users’ locations on a map in real time. The majority of the teen boys SheKnows spoke to said that at least 100 people could see their location on Snap Map at any given time — and sometimes more: “There’s probably about 250 people that can see my location,” says Griffin, 16. Users can go into “ghost mode” — where they can still see others’ locations, but theirs remains private — which is maybe slightly less worrisome to parents, but can be a source of consternation for teens. In a larger survey of SheKnows’ Teen Council, which consists of both boys and girls, nearly a quarter of respondents said seeing their friends on ghost mode makes them feel “anxious” or “left out.”

“Sometimes I get a little bit of FOMO when I see people together without me,” admits Calder. “Especially if it’s my friends, and it’s a plan I wasn’t invited to. Or, even that I was invited to and I couldn’t go.”

In an article about Snapchat and teen friendships for The Cut , writer, podcaster, and Gen Z trend expert Casey Lewis writes, “[M]uch of its staying power comes from its ability to embed itself into the social fabric of adolescent life. The app effectively gamifies friendship with features like streaks and trophies, boosting user engagement while making itself indispensable to maintaining relationships. Its complex web of social rules can also prove incredibly tricky to navigate.” Users can boost their friend rank by communicating more frequently with someone, an easy way to cause rifts and hurt feelings. “If you’re snapping your best friend more than anyone else, she’ll be your No. 1,” writes Lewis, “But if she’s snapping someone else more than you, you won’t be hers.”

These unspoken social rules govern many parts of Snapchat, but there are ways to get around some of them, like “ half-swiping .” Unlike other messaging apps, Snapchat creates a sense of urgency and expectation — when you receive a message, you feel pressure to respond immediately or risk social consequences, because reading someone’s message without replying is seen as a snub. “Snapchat locks the recipient into a situation where they have to either answer the message or leave the person on ‘opened,'” says 15-year-old Clive. “Half-swiping is a workaround and a non-committal way to view a message that has been sent to you without letting the sender know. You can see a message and wait to let the person know you’ve seen the message whenever you want.” It might offer a temporary escape from the social pressure, but it undermines the ability to directly communicate that Snapchat is known for. Still, almost 54% of our Teen Council members reported that they half-swiped “sometimes,” with just under 8% saying they never do.

And, of course, there’s the argument that the way kids communicate on Snapchat is making communication with adults weirdly uncomfortable. “For 11 years, I taught up to 500 undergraduates each semester at The University of Alabama,” says Dr. Chilcutt. “Gen Z’s preference (and, somewhat, dependence) of ephemeral messaging greatly impacted their ability to formulate well-constructed emails and increased their level of anxiety when having to interact face-to-face. It seemed as if the level of anxiety students exhibited in 2021 compared to 2016 tripled.”

Despite reporting overall positive feelings about social media (even though a whopping 77 percent of the teen boys on SheKnows’ Teen Council surveyed said they spend too much time on it), there was still hesitance among some of the teenagers in our panel about being tethered to Snapchat. Being slightly less into the app, or at least some features of it, seemed to be more prevalent among the group’s older teens, a finding backed up by some of the comments we received about “Snapstreaks” — a tally of how many consecutive days users have spent sending Snaps to their friends (and for some users, sort of a badge of honor — or a “flex,” as the kids say these days). “In terms of Snapstreaks, I think the older you get, and the more you use it, the less it becomes something that you care about,” says Xavier, 17.

“I find Snapchat to be a waste of my time,” adds 19-year-old Lincoln. “I really got so sick of sending people just a photo of my face … it’s very important to do and it’s somehow ‘offensive’ when you forget to do it.”

Snapchat, and similar social media apps, are a two-sided coin, Dr. DeVore tells SheKnows. “In my clinical practice, I’ve observed that Gen Z’s use of ephemeral messaging can have both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, it can foster a sense of connection and belonging, especially for those who may struggle with face-to-face interactions. It can also provide a safe space for self-expression and experimentation,” she says. “However, it’s important to be mindful of potential challenges, such as the pressure to maintain a constant online presence or the risk of cyberbullying. There’s also the risk of reducing face-to-face interaction, which can impact social skills and relationship development.”

As Snapchat continues to evolve and shape the way Gen Z communicates, it’s clear that the app’s ephemeral nature, visual emphasis, and authenticity have struck a chord. While there are valid concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse, Snapchat’s appeal lies in its ability to create a more dynamic and personalized communication experience. It’s like Gen Z’s digital playground, a place to connect, express themselves, and have fun. As parents, understanding and navigating these trends is crucial to ensuring that Gen Z can enjoy the benefits of digital technology — while protecting them from its potential risks.

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How Does Snapchat AI Work?

What to know

• Snapchat’s MyAI is powered by OpenAI’s GPT 3.5 large language model. 
• Snapchat is one of the first clients of OpenAI’s enterprise offering – Foundry – which provides dedicated compute power to run its AI model.
• Snapchat’s My AI is essentially the free version of ChatGPT with its own set of capabilities and limitations that come from being tied to a social media platform.

It’s the season of artificial intelligence , and everyone’s buying into the game. From Microsoft to Google , everyone wants a piece of the AI pie and Snapchat is one of the recent players to join the growing list of companies integrating AI into their platforms to one-up the competition. Its ‘My AI’ chatbot offering is the result of just such an endeavor. But how does Snapchat’s AI exactly work? Let’s find out.

Related: How to Turn On Snapchat My AI

What is Snapchat’s My AI?

My AI  is Snapchat’s version of a GPT-powered chatbot, bringing all the capabilities of generative AI to its social media platform. As one would expect from generative AI, it can be used to strike up general conversations over topics of varied kinds. 

Snapchatters can get it to write poems on the fly, suggest AR filters for snaps, gifts to purchase, restaurants to visit, and a whole lot more. 

Once My AI is available to you on Snapchat, you will see it added to your list of friends and will sit at the very top of the ‘Chat’ screen for easy access.

You can talk to it like any other friend on your list, customize its name and avatar, send it snaps, add it to group chats, and do just about everything that you can with generative AI tools like ChatGPT. 

You can unpin My AI from your Chat screen if it’s not to your liking, or clear it from your chat feed. But it will continue to remain on your list of friends, even with a Snapchat+ subscription.

Snapchat hopes My AI will be the personal AI assistant that you can turn to on a regular basis. Going forward, it appears that users will have to make space for the My AI chatbot on Snapchat, whether they like it or not.

Related: Snapchat My AI Not Working: 8 Ways to Fix

How does Snapchat My AI work?

To understand how Snapchat’s My AI works, we’ll need to dive into the language models and architectures that it is based on.

Built on GPT architecture

Snapchat’s My AI is built off of OpenAI’s GPT technology. So, it is going to be very similar to ChatGPT. Being a client of OpenAI has allowed Snapchat (and others) to bring generative AI capabilities to its platform by essentially leveraging the power of the GPT LLM and the copious amounts of data that it’s been trained on. 

Snapchat is one of the first to use OpenAI’s GPT architectural model as part of the latter’s Foundry developer platform. This lets Snapchat use dedicated computational resources for its AI models so users can get quick, snappy responses from the My AI chatbot. Though the exact GPT version that Snapchat uses hasn’t been disclosed, the underlying architecture is likely a modified version of GPT 3.5. 

Related: 9 Funny Things to Say to Snapchat AI

What can Snapchat AI do?

Thanks to the aforementioned language model and GPT architecture, My AI can generate human-like messages and converse in natural languages. But being on Snapchat, it has a few social media tricks up its sleeve.   

My AI can recommend you AR filters and lenses to spruce up your snaps…

… provide recommendations for places to eat or things to do, play games with you, or just hang out and have a laugh. It can also be brought into your conversations with friends with the @myai command in group chats to answer your questions. 

Moreover, Snapchat is looking to add the ability for My AI to snap you back with completely AI-generated images which will make for some fun conversations with AI whenever it’s made available.

Sure, it can sometimes be a little biased in its responses and may hallucinate about factual information from time to time. But that isn’t news to anyone who’s ever used such generative AI tools before. ChatGPT still is grappling with that issue and people still use it anyway.  

Snapchat AI shortcomings

Given all its GPT-powered prowess, Snapchat’s My AI isn’t all like ChatGPT. It can’t write essays for you or help you with your math homework, or code. It also isn’t connected to the web like Microsoft Bing or Google Bard and can’t serve as your daily news update either.

Snappers should see My AI as the free version of ChatGPT with its own set of capabilities and limitations that come from being tied to a social media platform. 

Related: How to Break Snapchat AI

Let’s take a look at a few commonly asked queries about Snapchat’s My AI chatbot.

How is AI used in Snapchat?

Snapchat’s My AI uses generative artificial intelligence models built by OpenAI. It is designed to serve you as a personal assistant with AI capabilities that can do just about everything that chatbots built on GPT architectures can do.  

Is Snapchat AI free?

Yes, Snapchat’s My AI comes free with the latest update. 

Is My AI on Snapchat safe?

Depending on who you ask, you may get a slightly different answer about Snapchat’s My AI’s safety. Some users have reported concern over its ability to access your location without permission, while many believe its content moderation is broken and might generate harmful responses. However, as My AI continues to develop, users can expect Snap to redress these issues.  

Snapchat is one of the first OpenAI clients to use ChatGPT-like language models and dedicated compute as part of the latter’s Foundry developer platform. My AI’s capabilities and the speed with which it responds are a direct result of that. With reliability and moderation being bettered over time, users may come to eventually use My AI as Snapchat intends. 

We hope this guide helped you understand how Snapchat’s My AI works behind the scenes and what you can do with it. Until next time! Keep snapping.

Related: 2 Ways to Turn Off Snapchat AI

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Accessibility Links

Snapchat AI ‘cheat’ for pupils’ homework

Children are using an artificial intelligence chatbot in Snapchat, the messaging app, to do their homework, raising fears the ChatGPT-powered technology could undermine learning.

Snapchat promotes My AI as a tool that can answer trivia questions, offer present recommendations or suggest what to make for dinner. But children have discovered that the chatbot can also be used to generate answers for their schoolwork.

The chatbot has already come under fire for coaching a fictional 13-year-old girl on how to lose her virginity to a man more than twice her age.

A mother from Mullingar posted photos on social media last week showing a series of answers that the bot had given to maths questions asked by her son, which he then entered into his homework

Related articles

How to Use Snapchat: A Guide for Beginners

In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn how to use Snapchat and get all the information you need to start using the app like a pro.

Ready to grow your business with an audience of Snap-hungry millennials and Gen-Zers? Learn how to use Snapchat to your full advantage and drive more brand engagement, awareness, and revenue. We’ve got you covered every step of the way.

Table of Contents

Bonus: Download a free guide that reveals the steps to create custom Snapchat geofilters and lenses, plus tips on how to use them to promote your business.

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a visual social media platform where users can share fleeting pictures and videos.

After launching in 2011 and releasing the Stories function in 2013, Snapchat has grown to become one of the top social media platforms in the world. And like Shakira’s hips, the Snapchat stats don’t lie. As of July 2021, the platform has 293 million daily active users —a growth of 23% year on year.

Nowadays, Snapchat gives you the power to record and share live videos, locate friends on an engaging map, experience augmented reality (AR) , and much more. Pretty cool, huh?

New features are at the forefront of what makes Snapchat a unique tool for business owners and regular users alike.

It’s clear that Snapchat firmly has a seat at the table of social media giants—even if its users’ demographic skews more toward the Millennial and Gen-Z cohorts.

Source: Statista : Distribution of Snapchat users worldwide as of July 2021, by age and gender

If your target audience is under 34, Snapchat might be the perfect platform for your business—especially if you operate in the direct-to-consumer market. A huge 60% of Snapchat users are more likely to make impulse purchases, which signals that the platform can increase your sales, drive more revenue, and translate to a positive return on investment (ROI).

Snapchat features and terminology

Snapchat is brimming with features that will help you drive audience engagement and build brand awareness. But first, let’s take a look at some key Snapchat terminology.

Snap Available to all users since day one, a Snap is a picture or video that you send through the app to one or more of your friends.

A video snap can be a maximum of 60 seconds long (known as a Long Snap). Keeping in line with the app’s original feature, Snapchat doesn’t hold onto any photo or video content—the platform deletes content after the recipient has viewed the Snap.

Stories Stories are Snaps that you’d like to share with all your Snapchat friends. Stories stay on the app for 24 hours before being deleted. If you’d like to save your Story, you can download them to your device’s camera roll or save them to Memories.

Custom Stories Custom Stories allows you to create Stories together with other people from your friends’ list.

Snapstreak A Snapstreak (or Streak) tracks how many consecutive days you and a friend share Snaps. You’ll see a flame emoji next to your friend’s name, with a number indicating how many days you’ve kept the Streak going.

Filter A Snapchat filter is a fun way to jazz up your Snaps by adding an overlay or other special effects. Filters can change based on special events or holidays, location, or time of day.

Lenses Lenses are where AR comes into play. Snapchat Lenses allow you to add 3D special effects, objects, and characters to your photos or videos. Unlike filters, you use lenses while you are taking a Snap.

Geofilter Similar to Filters, Geofilters are unique to your current location . To enable Geofilters, you have to turn on your location in Snapchat . You can also create a custom Geofilter for as little as $5—great for building brand awareness or showcasing an event.

Snapcode Snapcodes are unique QR-style codes that you scan to add friends or access features and content on Snapchat. Each user is automatically assigned a Snapcode, and you can create additional Snapcodes that link to any website.

Chat Chat is Snapchat’s version of instant messenger for individual and group chats. Messages disappear after they’re viewed.

Memories Memories are Snaps and Stories that you can save for viewing later, rather than allowing them to disappear. Think of Snapchat Memories as your personal photo album that you can view anytime.

Friends Friends are people who you’ve added on Snapchat (or they’ve added you!) You can share Snaps, Stories, and other content with your friends’ list.

Snap Map Snap Map shows your location and the locations of all of your friends. You can view Snaps submitted to the Snap Map from across the world. Of course, if you don’t want to share your location, you can always put yourself in Ghost Mode .

Context Cards Context Cards use information from Snapchat’s partners to provide additional information about a place mentioned in a Snap or allow you to take actions like booking a ride or reserving a table for dinner. You can access Context Cards by swiping up on a Snap or Story.

Bitmoji A Bitmoji is a cartoon avatar that represents you. Fully customizable in the Snapchat app, Bitmoji allows you to add personality to your profile and account.

Cameo Not to be confused with the celebrity messaging app of the same name, Snapchat Cameos are animated gifs that you can customize with your face and send to friends.

Spotlight Snapchat’s Spotlight feature is the place to share video content with a public audience. Like TikTok and Instagram Reels, Spotlight allows users to post 60-second videos to the app’s Spotlight section. Think of Spotlight as a place to share your best content in the hope that it goes viral.

https://twitter.com/Snapchat/status/1330873747335733251

Snapcash Powered by Square , Snapcash is a fast, free, and easy way to send money to your friends via the Snapchat app.

How to set up a Snapchat for Business Account

To execute any marketing campaigns on Snapchat, you’ll need to register for a Snapchat business account . The process takes seconds, and we’re here to help you at each step.

1. Download the free Snapchat app

Go to the App Store (for Apple iOS) or the Google Play Store (for Android) and download the app to your device.

2. Create a regular Snapchat account

Before you set up a Business account, follow these steps to create a regular account:

• Open the Snapchat app and tap Sign Up . Next, enter your first and last name and tap Sign up & Accept .
• Enter your birthday and tap Continue .
• Create a username that represents your company. Snapchat will suggest available usernames if the one you choose isn’t available. We recommend choosing a username that you won’t regret later; the only way to change your username is to create a new account. Tap Continue .
• Create your password and tap Continue .
• Enter your email address and tap Continue .
• Enter your phone number and tap Continue . Snapchat will send a verification code to your mobile phone. Enter this when prompted, and Snapchat will verify your account.

3. Register for a Business Account

Now that you’ve set up a personal Snapchat profile, you can register a Business Account. To do so, follow these steps:

• Head to the Snapchat Ads landing page on your device or computer.
• Tap Create an account , and it’ll take you to the following screen.
• Because you’ve already created an account, tap Log In at the top of the screen and enter your username or email and password for the account you just created.
• Enter your business name, email address, and name. Tap Next .
• Add the primary location that you conduct business.

Now you’re all set to start using Snapchat for marketing purposes!

How to navigate Snapchat

If you’re familiar with other social media apps, navigating Snapchat should come easily to you.

If you’re unsure, we’ve broken down each screen, how to access them, outlined their purpose, and set you on the right path for learning how to use Snapchat to its full potential.

Camera screen

Think of the camera screen as your home screen. Here, you can take Snaps, send Snaps, and navigate to other areas of the app:

• Swipe left for the Chat Screen.
• Swipe right for the Stories Screen.
• Swipe up for the Memories Screen.
• Swipe down for the Search Screen.

On the right side of the Camera Screen is a toolbar. Here, you can control camera settings such as flash, switch between front or back-facing camera, set a self-timer, adjust the focus settings, and add a grid to your camera screen for more accurate Snapping.

Chat screen

The Snapchat Chat Screen is where you’ll find “everything that has to do with your friends.” Here, you can chat with friends, view Snaps that they’ve sent you, edit your friend’s list, and make audio and video calls.

How to use Snapchat’s Chat feature

Snapchat’s Chat feature allows you to connect with friends one-on-one or have a group chat with several people. For individual chats, messages delete automatically once you both leave the conversation. Group chat messages are also deleted after 24 hours.

If you don’t want a message to disappear, you can press and hold it to save . Keep in mind that other people in the chat will see that you’ve done so since the background of the message will turn gray.

How to chat with one friend

To get a conversation going with a friend, tap their name on the Chat Screen, or tap the blue icon in the bottom right corner and select the friend you’d like to start chatting with.

How to start a group chat

To chat with multiple friends, tap the blue icon in the bottom right corner, select the friends you’d like in your group chat, and then tap Chat .

How to add friends on Snapchat

Snapchat without friends is like going to a party and being the only person in the room—dullsville! To get the most out of Snapchat, you’ll need to add new friends . You can add people you know from your contacts, but Snapchat gets a whole lot more engaging when you branch out a little. Here’s how:

Add by Snapcode

To add a friend using Snapcode, simply open Snapchat, point the Snapchat camera over the other user’s Snapcode, then tap Add Friend .

Add by Name

On Snapchat, you can search for and add friends by their real name or username. Tap the magnifying glass on the top left of the Chat Screen, and type in who you’re looking for. Then, if they’re using Snapchat (and have a public profile), you can add them as a friend .

Snapchat’s Quick Add feature is similar to suggested contacts on other social media apps. The feature suggests people you may want to connect with based on your mutual contacts, as well as the contacts on your phone.

To use the Quick Add feature, open the Chat Screen, and a list of users will appear in the lower half. Tap the +Add button next to the user you want to add as a friend.

You may not see names suggested in Quick Add until you have started to build up your Snapchat network.

How to accept a friend request on Snapchat

When another user sends you a friend request on Snapchat, you have to accept it before you are connected. To accept a friend request,

• Open Snapchat and tap on the Profile circle on the top left of the screen
• Tap Added Me .
• Tap the + button next to your friend’s username to accept their friend request

Profile screen

In the upper right corner of the camera screen is an icon with your Bitmoji (if you’ve set one up). Tap this to access your profile screen. You can find a collection of your Snapchat information on this screen, e.g., your account info, Bitmoji, location on the Map, Story management, and more.

Stories screen

Swipe right to access the Stories screen. Here, you’ll find your Stories, your friends’ Stories, and Stories from brands and creatives in the Discover section.

To move through Stories, simply tap the screen , and the app will automatically move to the next Snap in the Story. When a Story ends, Snapchat will automatically move on to the next Story. Easy!

Need a bit more guidance? We’ve detailed exactly how to create a Snapchat Story a bit further down this post.

Memories screen

Who doesn’t love looking back on cherished memories? Luckily, this nifty Snapchat feature allows you to swipe up from the camera screen and revisit Snaps and Stories from days gone by.

Flick between your Snaps, Stories, Camera Roll, and private Snaps along the main menu at the top of the screen.

How to use Snapchat Memories

Snapchat Memories allows you to save Snaps and Stories to view them later or even repost them.

You can save any Snap to Memories by tapping the Save button. You can also choose to save all Snaps to Memories by default.

Open the Snapchat app and swipe up or tap the small circle below the capture button to view your Memories.

Want to know more about what you can do with Snapchat Memories? We’ve got a post on how to use Snapchat Memories to grow and engage your audience.

Possibly the coolest feature on Snapchat is the Snap Map. On this screen, there are a few things you can do:

Bitmoji is all about showing the world your personality. On the Snap Map, you can change your Bitmoji to reflect what you’re up to. For example, if you’re at a club getting your dance on, change your Bitmoji to one of you poppin’ some moves! Or, if you’re hard at work at a local coffee shop, update your Bitmoji to reflect you sipping on a brew.

See what’s going on around you by tapping the Places icon on the bottom of the Map screen. The Map will come to life and show you popular spots near your location. Click on a location to access details, such as opening times, popular times to visit, and contact information. You can even send place recommendations to your friend list.

Tap the Friends icon on the Snap Map to locate your friends. You can also see places they’ve been to as well as engage with Snaps at different locations across the world!

Search screen

Swipe down on the camera screen or tap the magnifying glass in the top left corner to access the Search screen. Here, you can search Snapchat, access games, quickly add friends, and check out what’s currently trending on Snapchat.

Spotlight screen

Access the Spotlight Screen by tapping the triangle icon on the Camera screen’s lower menu. This screen is the place to find and interact with short viral videos from across the platform.

• Tap the heart button to favorite a Spotlight video
• Tap the arrow button to send a Spotlight video to a friend
• Tap the three dots button to subscribe to the creator’s content or report inappropriate content

How to create a Snap

Sure, viewing Snaps is fun, but you’ll also need to know how to create Snaps of your own. When you open the Snapchat app, it goes directly to the camera screen, so you’re all set to start Snapping.

1. Take a picture or video

To take a picture, tap the round capture button at the bottom of the screen.

Hold the capture button down to take a video, and a red marker will appear to indicate that that app is recording. You can capture up to 10 seconds of video in one Snap. If you keep holding the button down, it will record multiple Snaps up to 60 seconds of video.

To take a selfie, flip the camera on your screen by tapping the square arrows icon in the top right corner or double-tapping anywhere on the screen. If you don’t like the photo or video, tap the X icon in the top left corner to discard and try again.

2. Get creative

Once you take your Snap, it’s time to unleash your creative side! You can dress up your Snap with innovative tools and filters.

Creative Tools

The following creative tools appear on the right of your screen:

• Caption (T icon): Add text, complete with bold, italics, or underline styles. You can also use the @ symbol to mention friends in your Snaps.
• Doodle (pencil icon): Snapchat’s drawing tool. You can change the color and size of your brush or tap the heart icon to draw with emojis.
• Stickers (a square icon that resembles a sticky note): Add stickers from the Snapchat library.
• Scissors (scissors icon): You can select just about any part of a Snap to turn it into a sticker you can use on your current Snap or save for the future.
• Music (music note icon): Tap the music icon to add the hottest jams to your Snap. You can browse by playlists, search for specific artists or songs, and edit the music snippet you want on your Snap.
• Link (paperclip icon): Tap this icon to enter the URL of any webpage. When your friend views your Snap, they can swipe up to find the linked webpage.
• Crop (two right angles icon): Tap this to crop and zoom in or out of your Snap.
• Timer (stopwatch icon): Select the amount of time that your Snap will be viewable—up to 10 seconds. Or, choose the infinity symbol to let your friends view the Snap for as long as they like.

You can also add filters and lenses—more on this below!

3. Send your Snap

Once your Snap is ready to go, click the yellow Send To arrow icon on the bottom right of the screen. Then, select which contacts you’d like to send the Snap to by checking the boxes beside their names. You can also add your Snap to your Story and your Snap Map.

Once your Snap is sent, the app will take you to the Chat Screen.

To send multiple Snaps, repeat the process above. Your friend will receive your Snaps in the order you sent them.

How to view a Snap

You now know how to create and send a Snapchat. But, do you know how to view Snaps ? It’s easy:

• Swipe right from the camera screen to open the Chat screen.
• Blue : a Chat message with no Snap attached
• Red : a Snap, or multiple Snaps, will play in sequence without audio
• Purple : a Snap, or multiple Snaps, will play in sequence with audio ( Pro tip : If you’re viewing Snaps in public, turn your media volume off and view them in silence—or wait and watch them later.)
• Tap on the message to open it. If you’ve been sent multiple Snaps from the same friend, you’ll view them in sequence. The outer ring of the timer shows you how much time is left in the current Snap. Tap once to skip to the next message or swipe down to exit the Snap.
• Replay the Snap. Tap and hold down your friend’s name, then tap the Snap to view it again. Don’t leave the Friends screen, or you won’t be able to replay the Snap.
• Take a screenshot (if you dare). You can take a screenshot of Snaps that people send you (the same way you usually would on your phone). However, Snapchat will notify the person who sent you the Snap that you took a screenshot.

Note: You can also set up push notifications on your phone for new Snaps.

How to create Snapchat Stories

A Snapchat Story is a collection of Snaps captured within the past 24 hours. By default, your Story is visible to all of your friends, and they can view the Snaps in your story as many times as they like. You can limit who sees your Story by changing your privacy settings.

How to create and edit your Story

Add snaps to your story.

Follow the instructions we’ve detailed above on creating a Snap, then tap the Story button at the bottom left of your screen. Finally, tap Add , and the Snap will become part of your Story.

Delete a Snap from your Story

From the camera screen, tap the circular icon in the very top left of the screen (you should see your most recent Snap there). Then tap My Story . Tap any Snap to view it, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and tap Delete Snap .

Save your Story

Remember, your Story is a rolling archive of the past 24 hours. If you’d like to hold on to a Story longer than that, you can save it. From the camera screen, tap the profile icon in the top left corner, then tap the download button beside My Story to save your current Story to Memories or your camera roll.

See who’s viewed your Story

Tap the eye icon on any Snap within a Story to see who’s viewed it. ( Pro tip : You can only find out how many people viewed your Story while it’s live. Once it’s disappeared, so does the view tracking.)

How to view someone’s Story

From the camera screen, tap on the Stories icon in the bottom right corner. You’ll see a list of contacts who’ve updated their stories. To view the Story, tap on your friend’s username .

Once you’re viewing the Story, you can tap to go to the next Snap, tap on the left side of the screen to go back to the previous Snap, swipe left to skip ahead to the next Story, swipe right to go back to the previous Story, swipe down to exit the Story, or swipe up to start a Chat with your friend.

How to create a Custom Story

You can create a shared Story with your friends. Custom Stories can contain up to 1,000 snaps, and they last as long as someone adds a Snap every 24 hours.

• From the camera screen, tap the Profile icon in the top left corner.
• Tap + New Story on the top right.
• Choose to create a Custom Story.

How to use Snapchat Lenses

Want to make your Snaps pop? Apply a Snapchat Lens. They’re a wildly popular format that helps your content stand out. As of July 2021, there are over 2 million lenses to choose from, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits your brand’s style.

Lenses are a special AR effect that’s applied directly to the faces in the Snap. Unlike the creative tools and filters you apply after taking the Snap, you add Snapchat lenses before tapping the capture button. Here’s how:

• Point the camera at your face (with the selfie camera) or a friend’s face (with the front-facing camera). You can include multiple people in your Snap if you choose.
• Tap on one of the faces on the screen. Lenses will pop up at the bottom.
• Scroll through the available lenses to preview the effects.
• Some lenses have prompts like “open your mouth” or “raise your eyebrows.” Once you follow the prompt, your Snap will take on a new form.
• Once you find a lens you like, tap the capture button to take a picture or hold down the capture button to take a video.

How to use Snapchat Filters

To access Snapchat filters, swipe left or right on your Snap. The available filters include color effects, holiday graphics, timestamps, or Geofilters based on your location. In addition, you can press the stack icon that appears under the other creative tools to apply multiple layers of filters to your Snap.

How to use Snapchat on your computer

Snapchat is developed for iOS or Android devices, which means the app isn’t really built to use on a PC or Mac. For example, there’s no web application Snapchat that has a login for you to browse Snaps and Stories on a desktop—unlike Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok.

However, if you’re adamant about learning how to use Snapchat online, there is a workaround.

How to use Snapchat on PC

It’s tricky, but you should be able to get Snapchat up and running on your PC. Here’s how:

• Open up a new tab in your chosen web browser.
• Head to the Bluestacks website, download their Android emulator (an .exe file) and install it on your PC.
• Once installed, open Bluestacks and double click on the Google Play Store icon, and sign in with your account information.
• Search for Snapchat. It should be the first result you see in the drop-down menu.
• On the Snapchat app landing page, click the Install button.
• Once Snapchat is installed, click Open to launch the app in Bluestacks.

Have trouble using Snapchat on your PC? You might get an error message saying that something has gone wrong. This isn’t an issue with your Google Play account; Snapchat is in the process of clamping down on emulators using its app, so you might just have to bite the bullet and use a smartphone for your Snaps.

How to use Snapchat on Mac

Are you looking to use Snapchat on an Apple Mac? Unfortunately, you won’t find the app in the Mac App Store and will have to perform a similar workaround to use Snapchat on your Mac.

• Head to the Bluestacks website, download their Android emulator (a .dmg file).
• Open the .dmg file and go through the installation process.
• Click Open , then Install Now .

If you find that your Mac won’t open Bluestacks, head to Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Allow Apps . Remember that each time you want to use Snapchat on your Mac, you’ll need to open Bluestacks first.

And that’s it! You’re now more than ready to start using Snapchat and elevate your business. Want more tips? Check out our article on Snapchat hacks to take your skills to the next level.

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Claire Beveridge is a freelance writer, strategist, and editor. Over the past decade, Claire has leaned on her experience in content marketing and social media to help scale B2B and B2C businesses across North America and Europe — including work with Crunch, Lumen5, Method + Metric SEO Agency, and Quietly.

Currently, Claire runs a small marketing studio on the west coast of Canada whose clients include Hootsuite, ConvertKit, Superpath, and Graphite. She specializes in creating editorial assets that educate, entertain, and convert customers.

Claire spends her free time cooking, watching soccer, and spending time with her family.

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Do you use Snapchat's AI chatbot? Here's the data it's pulling from you

In April, Snap made its AI-powered chatbot, My AI , available to Snapchat users. The company says over 150 million users have talked to the chatbot. Snap says that its AI chatbot is equipped with more guardrails than ChatGPT, which should make it safer for younger Snapchatters.

Also: The best parental control apps

According to Statista , about 20% of global Snapchat users are between the ages of 13 and 17, so it's crucial that kids aren't exposed to inappropriate content that the chatbot could output. But in some experimental chats with the bot, users found that Snapchat's bot would explain how to engage in underage substance use and sexual activity.

When Snapchatters first started experimentally conversing with My AI, many were curious about the chatbot's access to their location. When My AI was asked if it had a user's location, it would promptly deny having access to geolocation data .

But if a user asked for a restaurant recommendation in their area, My AI could provide them, proving that the bot does have access to Snapchatters' location. People took to Twitter to express they were concerned by My AI and started to get curious about what user data the bot could access.

Also: Meta lowered the age limit for Quest accounts. Are those kids too young for exploring VR?

So, what data does My AI collect, and what does Snap do with it?

Location 

My AI can access your location if you allow Snapchat to access your location. Snap says My AI doesn't collect any new location data from you and only pulls from the data you provided to Snapchat.

Also: Human or bot? This Turing test game puts your AI-spotting skills to the test  

Some users enable a Snapchat feature called Ghost Mode that allows you to hide your location from your friends and remove you from the Snap Map. However, Ghost Mode does not ensure that My AI cannot access your location. Snap says that even with Ghost Mode on, My AI may access your location if you've granted location tracking permission to Snapchat.

Conversations

Snap stores your conversations with My AI until you manually delete them, but it can take up to 30 days for your conversation data with My AI to be removed from Snapchat servers. Snap uses your conversations with My AI to train the AI model and to better target you with personalized ads.

Also: How your kids can use ChatGPT safely, according to a mom  

Snapchat's privacy policy states that all Snaps are deleted from Snapchat servers after all recipients view them. But Snap makes a clear distinction that the chats sent to My AI do not follow this guideline and are only deleted if you request Snapchat to delete them. It should be assumed that Snap retains any audio or photos you send to My AI and can only be deleted if you do it yourself.

Social Media

200 million people use chatgpt every week - up from 100 million last fall, says openai, what is chatgpt the world's most popular ai chatbot explained, ai is hot in the workplace: chatgpt now has more than 1 million business users.

Safety Resources and Support

We work with industry experts and non-governmental agencies to provide resources and support to Snapchatters in need. Here are some resources that can help if you or someone you know needs support or just wants to chat!

You can also explore our Here For You search tool which shows resources from expert localized partners when you search for certain topics related to mental health, anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal thoughts, grief and bullying.

We have also developed a page dedicated to sexual risks and harms, in an effort to support those in distress. There, you can find a list of global support resources.

MindUP (Global; Main offices in US, UK, and CA) MindUP supports children ages 3 to 14 by providing them with the tools and knowledge to manage stress and thrive in school all while maintaining optimism, resilience, and compassion.

Resources for Northern America

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 information service and treatment referral for those facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Available in English and Spanish. Veteran Crisis Line (for active U.S. service members, veterans, and family members) Call 1 800 273 8255 or SMS: 838 255 The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. National Alliance on Mental Illness Call 1 800 950 6264 or SMS: Text NAMI to 741741 NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. Active Minds Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Some helpful pages include, 

Recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness 

Crisis information for getting immediate help

Other referral resources

Practicing self-care

Offering help to someone in distress

Supporting someone in treatment

Anxiety and Depression Association of America Call 240 485 1001 (ADAA) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice, and research.

National Eating Disorders Association Call 800 931 2237 The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is  dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.

Trans Lifeline Call 877 565 8860 Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.

Hopeline Call 1 877 235 4525 Hopeline focuses on active listening techniques to offer caring nonjudgmental listening to their callers. They do not give advice on the lines but instead will offer referrals to other organizations

Text, chat, email or call from whatsok.org/ask

WhatsOK is a free, confidential helpline and website for people ages 14-21 who have questions or concerns about their sexual thoughts, behaviors and interests.

Stop It Now!

Email, chat or call from stopitnow.org/helpline

Stop It Now! offers a free, confidential helpline for people with questions about keeping children safe from sexual harm, including: caregivers, family members, survivors, people who are concerned they may sexually harm a child, and the people who care about these people.

Canada Suicide Prevention Services (CSPS) Call 1 833 456 4566 Crisis Services Canada (CSC) provides suicide prevention and support to the people of Canada.

Youthspace (Online crisis and emotional support chat. Chats are confidential and anonymous.) SMS: 778 783 0177 Youthspace.ca is an online crisis and emotional support chat. We listen without judgement, and keep chats confidential and anonymous. Suicide Action Montreal Call 1 866 APPELLE (277-3553) Suicide Action Montréal's mission is to prevent suicide and its impacts by ensuring access to quality services for suicidal people, their families and those around them. In addition, SAM relies on the commitment and skills development of individuals and organizations in the community.  Hope for Wellness Helpline Call 1 855 242 3310 Call the toll free helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or chat online. Phone and chat are available in English and French, and on request also available in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. Amelia Rising Call 705 476 3355 Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre provides free, completely confidential support for people 12 years of age and older who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence. Crisis Text Line SMS: Text HOME to 686868 Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone is a service partnership between Kids Help Phone and technology pioneer Crisis Text Line, providing young people in Canada with the first ever, 24/7, free nationwide texting service.

Talking for Change Call 1 833 703 3303 Talking for Change provides free therapy and anonymous support services to help individuals live a safe, healthy, and non-offending life, in regards to their sexuality and interactions with children.

Resources for Europe

Rat auf Draht Call 147 Rat auf Draht offers advice for children and teenagers at any time - anonymously - free of charge.

TelefonSeelsorge Call 142 Telefon Seelsorge offers crisis situation support. Under the emergency number 142 you can reach us 24 hours a day free of charge.

Zelfmoord 1813 Call 1813 The Center For Suicide Prevention is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending suicide. The organization offers a suicide hotline as well as comprehensive research services.

Child Focus Call 116 000 Child Focus provides an anonymous 24/7 hotline to report missing children and sexual exploitation of minors. 

HRABRI Telefon Call 0800 0800 (for adults) or 116 111 (for teenagers) Help and Support for Children and Parents - The Brave Phone for Children 116 111; A brave phone for moms and dads 0800 0800. Chat and e-mail.

Livslinien Call 70 201 201 Livslinien is a suicide advisory hotline offering professional consultations and assistance aimed at reducing suicide attempts.

BørneTelefonen Call 116 111 Children's Phone is the children's line for counseling, comfort, or just an adult who has time to listen. 

Eluliin Call 655 8088 Life Line as a Relief Center was created under the leadership of Airi Värnik, Director of the Estonian-Swedish Institute of Suicidology. Provides emotional support of single, unhappy, depressed and / or suicidal people. 

Suomen Mielenterveysry Call 09 2525 0111 MIELI The Finnish Mental Health Association is a public health and non-governmental organization. The club promotes mental health in Finland and does preventive mental health work.

E-Enfance Call 3018 The new national number against digital violence, free for children and adolescents facing problems related to their digital use-- 100% anonymous free and confidential.

Suicide Écoute Call 01 45 39 40 00 Suicide Ecoute helps those who are thinking about ending their lives or have decided to do so. Suicide Ecoute allows everyone, in complete anonymity, to express their suffering.

SOS Suicide Phénix Call 01 40 44 46 45 The SOS Suicide Phoenix France Federation aims to PREVENTION of suicide and PROMOTION of preventive actions in complementarity with the actors of the medico-social field.

TelefonSeelsorge Call 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 Telefonseelsorge is a volunteer organization comprised of over 8,000 volunteer employees that helps counsel anyone who needs mental health support via phone, chat, email, and in-person counseling around the clock.

Nummer gegen Kummer Call 116 111 Nummer gegen Kummer eV (NgK) is the umbrella organization of the largest free telephone counseling service for children, adolescents and parents in all of Germany. 

Troubled Desire Prevention Project Dunkelfeld is a German initiative aimed at preventing the sexual abuse of minors by providing confidential and anonymous therapy to individuals, both children and adults, who are concerned about instigating potential abuse.

Hamogelo Call 1056 “The Smile of the Child” is a registered NGO, founded in 1995 by 10 year old Andreas Yannopoulos to defend children's rights. For teens under 18 years of age. 

Pieta House Call 1 800 247 247 or SMS: Text HELP to 51444 Pieta provides free therapy to those engaging in self-harm, with suicidal ideation, or bereaved by suicide.

Belong To Call 01 670 6223 BeLonG To’s vision is a world where LGBTI+ young people are equal, safe, and valued in the diversity of their identities and experiences.

Jigsaw — The National Centre for Youth Mental Health Call 353 1 472 7010 Jigsaw is a charitable organization supporting young people’s mental health through mentorship, research, education and training.

ReachOut Ireland ReachOut Ireland is an online mental health service provider that provides young people with mental health issues to access information and practical tools.

Telefono Amico Call 199 284 284 Telefono Amico is a volunteer organization committed to listening to anyone who feels loneliness, anguish, sadness, discomfort, or anger.

Lithuanian Association of Emotional Support Lines LEPTA's mission is to provide free, easily accessible, anonymous emotional support at a critical time, to reduce a person's emotional pain, to help withstand and overcome difficulties. 

Jaunimo Linija Call 8 800 28888 Jaunimo Linija offers phone, written letter or online chat support for those in need. Everything you tell them will stay between you and the Youth Line.

Kanner-Jugendtelefon Call 116 111 The action of the KJT is a resource provided to children, young people and parents  by offering them listening and assistance that is easily accessible and without constraints. 

BEE SECURE BEE SECURE is Luxembourg's Safer Internet Center. Providing resources through news, factsheets, events and tips to stay safe on the Internet!

Befrienders Mauritius Call 230 800 93 93 Befrienders Worldwide centres provide an open space for those in distress to talk and be heard. This is via telephone helplines, SMS messaging, face-to-face interactions, internet chat, outreach and local partnerships.

113 Suicide Prevention Call 0800 - 0113 / chat available The 113 suicide foundation is the national organization for the prevention of suicide. The organization's mission is to work toward a country where nobody dies lonely and distraught by suicide.

MIND Netherlands Call 0900 - 1450 / chat available MIND offers a national hotline for mental health struggles. The organization was founded in 1965.

Helpwanted Call 020 – 261 52 75 / chat available Helpwanted is the national hotline to get help with unwanted online behavior (such as the sharing of nudes, being hacked, groomed, bullied, exposed or threatened).

Join US Call 085 877 03 42 / apply through website Join US runs a national program to help people under 30 that are lonely by connecting them with people in their neighborhood or online.

Kirkens SOS Call 22 40 00 40 Kirkens SOS is a religious organization seeking to alleviate emotional turmoil and prevent suicide with 24-hour telephone, text, and instant message support.

Mental Helse Hjelpetelefonen Call 116 123 Mental Health strives for increased openness, prevention of mental health problems and better health care. Users and relatives have experience and knowledge about mental health that we want to convey to public authorities, professional communities, organizations and individuals.

Telefon Zaufania dla Dzieci i Młodzieży Call 116 111 We are a group of people helping to cope with difficult situations. You can tell us about what you are going through.

SOS VOZ AMIGA Call 808 237 327 or 210 027 159 We receive calls from people to deal with problems caused by loneliness, illness, broken family relationships, drug addiction, abuse and various emotional situations. In our support line, we do not make value judgments. In an anonymous and confidential way, we provide the ear as a shoulder. If you need, don't hesitate. Call us. We care! 

Alianţa Română de Prevenţie a Suicidului Call 0800 801 200 The Romanian Suicide Prevention Alliance (ARPS) is a non-profit organization, established with the purpose of maintaining and promoting the quality of life by preventing suicide.

Centar Srce Call 0800 300 303 Mission of the Center is to offer emotional support to people in crisis and suicide prevention by telephone, e-mail and chat. We think we can alleviate suffering a person is feeling and reduce the intensity of suicidal feelings.

Linka Detskej Istoty Call 116 000 Help children and young people reach out to someone when in need. The Line phone rings 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Enska Svetovalnica – Krizni Center Call 031 233 211 The Women's Counseling Society is a public interest humanitarian organization active in the field of psychosocial assistance and self-help for women victims of violence.

TOM – Telefon Za Otroke in Mladostnike Call 116 111 TOM is a telephone for children and adolescents operating within the framework of the Friends of Youth Association of Slovenia (ZPMS). Društvo Zaupni telefon Samarijan Call 116 123 The mission of the Society is to be available to the individual to speak in distress at any time of the day and all days of the year, including weekends and public holidays, on two phones at a time.

Teléfono de la Esperanza Call 717 003 717 Telefono de la Esperanza is a social organization promoting emotional health for people in situations of crisis within the Spanish-Portuguese speaking world with urgent, free crisis intervention.

Internet Segura for Kids Call 017 Safe Internet for Kids (IS4K) is the Internet Safety Center for minors in Spain and aims to promote the safe and responsible use of the Internet and new technologies among children and adolescents.

Mind Call 90 101 Promotes mental health care, to maintain mental equilibrium and health of healthy persons, to prevent the nervous and mental illnesses of endangered persons and to improve through the appropriate care commitments of those affected by such diseases.

Tel 143 Call 143 Providing people who want a helping conversation or a supportive online contact.

Samaritans Call 116 123 Samaritans is a charity organization that seeks to listen and help people talk through their concerns and worries. PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide HOPELineUK Call 0 800 068 41 41 or SMS: 07860039967 PAPYRUS is a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.

UK Safer Internet Centre The UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading charities; Childnet, the South West Grid for Learning and the Internet Watch Foundation. 

Campaign Against Living Miserably Call 0 800 58 58 58 Our helpline is for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. Mind Call 0 300 123 3393 We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Revenge Porn Helpline Call 0345 6000 459 Revenge Porn Helpline supports those 18+ who are experiencing intimate image abuse, commonly known as revenge porn, by providing advice and guidance with helping to remove this content. Email [email protected]. 

Action Fraud Call 0300 123 2040 Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Lucy Faithfull Foundation Call 0808 1000 900 The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a UK-based child-protection charity that works with both children and child sexual exploitation and abuse offenders through its program Stop It Now!

Stop! Think Fraud

Stop! Think Fraud is an online resource which provides a variety of tools to help people to spot and stay ahead of scams. This includes advice on how to safeguard against fraud as well as practical advice and support if you have been impacted by online fraud.

Resources for Latin America and the Caribbean

Hablemos de Todo Hablemos de Todo provides anonymous chat via website. A space to talk about what is happening to you, ask questions and take all your doubts freely.

National Hotline for Crisis Intervention Call 242 322 2763 The Department of Social Services provides a Child Abuse Hotline and recently amalgamated service to include counseling to  persons  who  may  be  depressed, overwhelmed or experiencing  difficulties coping because  of  their  current life  challenges.

O CVV – Centro de Valorização da Vida Call 188 Centro de Valorização da Vida (CVV) is a non-profit organization that provides free, discreet emotional support and suicide prevention services.

Todo Mejora Todo Mejora promotes the well-being of children and adolescents who suffer bullying and suicidal behavior, due to discrimination based on sexual orientation, identity and gender expression. From Monday to Friday and on Sundays Todo Mejora hosts Safe Hour, where staff is available to chat with you in real time. 

The Caribbean Voice The Caribbean Voice offers global resources on issues like suicide prevention, mental health, combating domestic abuse and sexual assault, and child protection. 

SAPTEL Call 55 5259 8121 SAPTEL is a mental health and Distance Medicine service with 30 years of operating. SAPTEL is a professional program attended by selected, trained, and supervised psychologists who provide free counseling, referral, psychological support, psychotherapeutic counseling, and emotional crisis intervention. SAPTEL offers its services to the Mexican Republic in its entirety.

Alianza por la seguridad en internet Alianza por la seguridad en internet (ASI) Mexico is a non-profit organization working to educate families and youth about digital citizenship and a responsible use of the internet.

Resources for Africa

SADAG — The South African Depression and Anxiety Group Call 0800 567 567 The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is at the forefront of patient advocacy, education and destigmatisation of mental illness in the country. Its expertise lies in assisting patients and callers throughout South Africa with mental health queries.

Lifeline Call 0861 322 322 To facilitate individuals and communities throughout Ekurhuleni embracing emotional wellness.

The Triangle Project (for LGBTI persons, partners, and their family members) Call 021 422 0255 Triangle Project is a non-profit human rights organisation offering professional services to ensure the full realisation of constitutional and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) persons, their partners and families. LifeLine Pietermaritzburg Call 033 342 4447 LifeLine Pietermaritzburg trading as LifeLine and Rape Crisis is a registered civil society organisation which offers generic counselling free of charge to anyone who needs such service.

Resources for Asia

Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center Call 010 8295 1332 Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center helps people in distress.

Lifeline Shanghai Call 400 821 1215 ​Lifeline offers a free, confidential and anonymous support service; assistants are available to provide a safe source of support for individuals in times of emotional distress or crisis.

Hong Kong Region

The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong (香港撒瑪利亞防止自殺會) Call 2389 2222 The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong service is provided by a group of enthusiastic volunteers. With a spirit of helping others, they provide people with emotional distress, despair, helplessness, or suicide intent to provide 24-hour instant emotional relief services. 

The Samaritans Hong Kong (香港撒瑪利亞會) Call 2896 0000 The Samaritans are here to listen, no matter how disturbing or ordinary the problem may seem. We do not give advice, or tell you what to do. We are here to offer unconditional emotional support.

AASRA Call 022 2754 6669 Aasra is a crisis intervention centre for the lonely, distressed and suicidal. We aim to help prevent and manage mental illness by providing voluntary, professional and essentially confidential care and support to the depressed and the suicidal.

Sneha India Call 91 44 2464 0050 Sneha is a suicide prevention organization in Chennai, India.  We offer unconditional emotional support to anyone who could be feeling distressed, depressed or suicidal.

Tokyo Suicide Prevention Center (東京自殺防止センター) Call 03 5286 9090 Tokyo Suicide Prevention Center provides confidential and emotional support to those in distress and despair, including emotions that may lead to suicide

Aichi Suicide Prevention Center Aichi Suicide Prevention Center is a volunteer organization aimed at providing emotional support to those who are considering suicide anytime, anywhere.

Befrienders Kuala Lumpur Call 603 7956 8145 Befrienders is a not-for-profit organisation providing emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to people who are lonely, in distress, in despair, and having suicidal thoughts - without charge.

Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Call 0917 558 4673 The Natasha Goulbourn Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a healthier society of Filipinos through the use of positive and preventive activities that will focus on mental wellness for all. 

Samaritans of Singapore (新加坡援人協會) Call 1800 221 4444 Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is dedicated to providing confidential emotional support to individuals facing a crisis, thinking about or affected by suicide.

Silver Ribbon (Singapore) Call 65 6386 1928 To combat mental health stigma, encourage early help, and facilitate integration of people with mental illness within the society through innovative means of promoting mental health literacy.

Resources for Oceania

Lifeline Call 13 11 14 Lifeline provides Australians experiencing personal crises with 24-hour access to suicide prevention services, domestic violence trainings, and financial welfare programs. Kids Helpline Call 1 800 55 1800 Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential phone counseling service specifically for young people ages 5-25. Beyondblue Call 1300 22 4636 Beyondblue is a non-profit organization working to promote good mental health, tackle stigma and discrimination, and provide support and information on anxiety, depression and suicide.

Depression Hotline Call 0800 111 757 This website helps New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety by encouraging early recognition and help-seeking. The Lowdown SMS: 5626 The Lowdown encourages early recognition and help for depression or anxiety. On the site young people can find, helpful information on anxiety, depression (and other issues they may be struggling with like leaving school or getting on with their parents), videos of 12 real young people telling their stories and more. Youthline Call 0800 376 633 or SMS: 234 Youthline works with young people, their families and those supporting young people. Our organisations are made up of volunteer and paid staff members - and we have centres based across the country. Lifeline Call 0800 543 354 or SMS: Text HELP to 357 for free Our mission is to reduce distress and save lives by providing safe, accessible, effective, professional and innovative services. We work specifically to increase awareness and understanding of suicide prevention in New Zealand and reduce the associated stigma and to work with others to make a positive contribution to the health and social sector.