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A 'predator's dream': Senator calls out Snapchat over safety concerns

WASHINGTON — A U.S. senator called an app used by millions of teenagers a “predator’s dream”.

Now, she’s calling on Snapchat to do a better job protecting children.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn said predators can use Snapchat to request sexually explicit material from young children.

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She also raised concerns about the features that can share a child’s location and the disappearing videos.

It’s rated for kids ages 12 and up in the app store, but Blackburn said the rating needs to reflect what's available on the platform.

“Their rating does not match the pornographic content that is available to children,” Blackburn said.

Snapchat responded by saying the app is designed to appeal to teen and adult audiences, and that it has a zero-tolerance approach, using several tools including advanced photo DNA technology to help protect minors.