Snapchat is making it harder for users under 16 to share Spotlight posts, a move aimed at protecting younger teens from unwanted contact.

The new rules mean that under-16s can only share Spotlight content with people who follow them back. This age group will also have separate profiles which don’t display engagement metrics like likes, reducing the pressure to post more often.

Users aged 16 to 18 remain able to share publicly but their posts are limited to friends and followers. Parents can keep an eye on how much time their children spend on the app through the Family Center feature.

Snapchat isn't alone in these restrictions; competitors like Instagram have also been making similar moves for teenage users, introducing specialised accounts to tailor experiences.