Snapchat: Parents, this is what it is and how to use it

In case you have not heard, Snapchat is kind of a big deal.

The messaging app is particularly popular among teens. A recent survey done by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found nearly three-quarters of all teens use Snapchat and fellow messaging app Instagram. That's more than the two-thirds of teens who say they use Facebook.

So what is it, exactly? Snapchat is a messaging app where users can send Snaps, consisting mostly of photos or video, that disappear after they're viewed by the recipient. The other fun feature: filters. They can turn your selfie into the image of an adorable puppy, or a video of a deer sounding like it inhaled helium. Other filters include frames showing your location or to highlight a special event.

As a parent, this is my primary way of using the app. Seriously, how can you not resist turning your kids into sloths? It's great if you need to occupy your kids for a couple minutes.

The filters are so popular pretty much every other social app including Twitter and Instagram have introduced their own filters.

Because it's social, and the Snaps users send disappear, there are some concerns about what your kids might see, as well as who can view their Snaps. Fortunately, multiple default Snapchat settings make the process easier if you're a parent, but you still want to pay close attention to protect your children.

So, what is Snapchat, and why do your kids like it so much? Let's break it down:

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a messaging app emphasizing the use of the photos and videos to express yourself. In a 2015 video explaining Snapchat, founder and CEO Evan Spiegel says this generation views photos and videos as more than just a way of saving memories. “When you see your children taking a zillion photographs of things you would never take a picture of, it's because they're using photographs to talk,” he said.

When you open the app, you're directed straight to the camera. You can either take a picture by tapping the giant circle near the bottom of the screen, or hold it down for video. You can also hold down anywhere on the screen to bring up a set of augmented reality filters to add elements like bunny ears to a picture. Most of the filters are fun, although they have gotten Snapchat into trouble.

Once you capture a picture or video, you can access another set of filters by swiping left or right. These bring up the filters similar to ones you see on Instagram, or add other details such as your location. Along with filters, you can add emojis, text, or other stickers to spruce up your Snap.

Once it's ready, you can either send it directly to a friend, or share it as part of “My Story,” a feature where users can recap their days by adding a variety of photos and videos. You can also swipe left to go to Chat, or swipe right to reach Discover, a section where publishers have added their own Stories you can track. Swiping down takes you to Memories, where you can save Snaps to the app, or your smartphone's camera roll. (Check out USA TODAY's super fun Snapchat profile here.)

How popular is Snapchat?

More than 2 billion Snaps a day go out. According to their initial public offering filed to the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year, Snapchat boasts 158 million daily active users who create 2.5 billion Snaps a day. Parent company Snap also says 60% of their daily active users create Snaps on a daily basis. Over the past year, Snapchat has consistently hovered at or near the top five apps overall, according to analytics firm App Annie.

Why is it so popular?

Initially, part of Snapchat's coolness factor lied in how confusing it was to use. Early versions of Snapchat offered zero instruction on how to use it, which made it appealing to teens who could easily figure it out. If you had to point to a break out moment, it was in 2015, when DJ Khaled, who was already a heavy user of the app at the time, recounted a scary jet ski ride leaving him lost at sea for several hours.

Then there's the disappearing messages, which Snapchat says was built to mimic conversations in the real world. “When you go to lunch with a friend, the conversation doesn’t last beyond the meal — and Snapchat has managed to recreate that light, low-pressure feeling,” reads a parents guide published by Snapchat. It also notes the app removes any concerns over managing your presence or suffering from “reputation anxiety” as with other apps.

Should I worry about my kids using it?

Because Snaps disappear on the app, users might get the urge to post stuff that is a little more risqué, thinking it will be scrubbed from their Story or Chat message. However, users can take a screenshot of their smartphone to preserve an image, while third-party apps exist to allow users to save others' Snaps.

Snapchat does allow users to replay Snaps, so long as the user keeps the Snap open. As soon as they dismiss it, it's gone. Also, if someone has taken a screenshot of a Snap, the app will alert users.

There's also the feature My Eyes Only, where users can lock down images or videos with a passcode in their Memories. So if your teenage kids have their own accounts, it's a popular place to hide photos or videos out of parents' view.

By default, most privacy settings in Snapchat are set to Friends, which means the user must approve who can view their Story or contact them in Chat. Users can head to settings and opt to include Everyone if they want a more public profile.

How can I protect them?

Snapchat requires users be at least 13 years old to have an account. If you have a younger child who really wants to see themselves captured in a puppy filter, consider opening a shared account. Then you can see what they're sharing.

If you let your kids have their own account, remind them that although Snapchat will delete Snaps or Stories after a set time, it doesn't mean they are gone forever. As Snapchat points out in its parents guide: “It’s important to remind kids to never send Snaps that are illegal, could get them in trouble now or in the future, or would be embarrassing if seen by people like grandparents or college admissions officers.”

Double check privacy settings to make sure it's for Friends only, instead of Everyone. Also, users can easily share their Snapchat handle either by name or Snapcode, an icon users can scan with their camera to add as a friend.

Read more:

Musical.ly: A parents' guide to the ultra-addictive lip-syncing app

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Can this app 'unglue' your kids from their screens?

Five apps that could be dangerous for kids

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.