The company says the new tools are aimed at encouraging healthier digital habits and informed family conversations about online behavior.

Here's a closer look at the latest features added to Snapchat's Family Center.

Screen Time and Activity Insights

One of the biggest additions is a screen time tracking feature that shows how much time teens spend on Snapchat each day.

Parents can now view the average daily usage time, broken down by different activities on the platform, including:

• Chatting with friends
• Sending and receiving Snaps
• Using the camera
• Exploring Snap Map
• Watching content on Spotlight and Stories

This detailed breakdown is designed to help parents understand how their teens interact with the platform and start conversations about balanced screen time.

Insights Into New Friend Connections

Snapchat has also improved its friend monitoring features for parents.

Previously, parents could view their teen's friends list and recently added contacts. With the latest update, parents will also be able to see contextual signals about how their teen might know a new friend.

These signals may include:

• Mutual friends
• Shared communities
• Saved contacts in the phone

This additional context helps parents determine whether their teen is connecting with people they may already know offline.

Expanded Safety and Educational Resources

Along with new monitoring tools, Snapchat has introduced additional safety and learning resources for families.

The platform has released a step-by-step instructional video that helps parents understand how to set up and use Family Center tools effectively.

Existing Family Center features already include:

• Content restrictions
• Location sharing options
• Tools to report suspicious or harmful accounts

Parents also have the option to disable Snapchat's My AI chatbot for their teens and may soon be able to block access to AI-powered search tools like Perplexity.

A Balance Between Safety and Teen Privacy

Snapchat says the goal of these features is not to spy on teenagers but to provide transparency and guidance for families.

According to Snap Inc., the updates are designed to build trust while encouraging open discussions about digital safety.

Uthara Ganesh, Head of Public Policy for APAC at Snap Inc., explained that the new tools give parents clear and practical insights into how teens spend time on Snapchat, helping families make better decisions about screen time and online interactions.

With the growing use of social media among teenagers, platforms are increasingly introducing tools that help families navigate digital spaces safely. Snapchat's updated Family Center features aim to provide parents with useful insights while maintaining a level of privacy for teens.

By offering activity insights, friend connection signals, and improved safety resources, Snapchat hopes to help families build healthier online habits and safer social media experiences.