Snapchat has announced “Here for You”, a new research tool that will provide content produced by mental health experts when users look for topics such as anxiety, depression, suicide and bullying.
Snapchat is the most popular social platform among young people. It reaches 90% of 13-24 years old, a group that may be more vulnerable to bullying or dangerous topics.
Here For You will provide proactive in-app support to Snapchatters who may be having a mental or emotional crisis, or who may be curious to learn more about these issues and how they can help friends deal with them.
When a user types in words that might imply that they need help with health and wellness issues, Here For You will be activated in a special section within the Snapchat search results.
This will include proactive resources from mental health experts, as well as partner content on topics such as anxiety, mental health and suicide.
For example, if a user were to type the word “anxiety” into the Snapchat search function, the title of the new show “Chill Pill” would come up, as well as episodes of other popular shows showing videos that relieve anxiety.
Content that constructively addresses issues such as suicide or depression will also be displayed.
The initiative, launched to coincide with Safer Internet Day, reflects Snap’s commitment and responsibility to help make a positive impact on the lives of people using their platform.
Snapchat is not the first social media platform to put resources into mental health and anti-bullying initiatives. Instagram launched last year a new “Restrict” mode that allows users to block abusive or harassing comments so that no one else can see them. Pinterest provides “emotional wellness activities” when its users search the platform for topics such as “stress” or “anxiety”.
Snap plans to launch the Here For You feature in the coming weeks.
Digital-health 