On the Radar: Snapchat Family Center, Spotify Group Chats and TikTok Microwave Trend, Best TV Shows to Binge Watch

Snapchat Introduces New Tools to Help Parents Monitor Screen Time

What? Just two days after settling a lawsuit accusing social media platforms of creating addictive features that lead to mental health issues, Snap introduced new time- and friend-monitoring features to Snapchat’s “Family Center.”

So What? With these changes, parents will receive a breakdown of time spent on the app, showing how much time their teen spends chatting and snapping with friends vs. how much time they spend scrolling through content. Parents will also receive additional information about their child’s friends, helping them to determine if their teen knows those friends in real life.

Now What? If your teen is using Snapchat, make sure you set up the Family Center. Hopefully, these features will help parents get a better idea of how their children use the platform—whether they’re using it primarily to interact with friends or whether they’re doomscrolling—empowering them to address specific concerns they may have.

Spotify Expands Chat Features to Allow Group Messages

What? Following the launch of direct messaging in August 2025, Spotify has now expanded its in-app chat feature to allow group messages with up to 10 friends and family members.

So What? TechCrunch reports: “The move comes as Spotify continues to invest in making its streaming app more social.” The features focus on helping users share and discuss music, podcasts and audiobooks. However, parents should stay alert for potential pitfalls.

Now What? Spotify only allows users to start chats with people they already know, but the group chat feature may allow your child to interact with friends of friends, so that’s something to keep an eye on. Additionally, as the app becomes more social, the negative attributes found in other social media platforms—in this case, perhaps cyberbullying or exposure to inappropriate discussions—could seep into Spotify as well.

Children Burned by Viral Microwave Trend on TikTok

What? Videos are circulating on TikTok (and other social media platforms) of people microwaving NeeDoh Nice Cubes in order to make the sensory toys “more pliable, since they firm up over time,” reports CBS News.

So What? Unfortunately, these videos don’t show that the gel-filled toys can explode when heated. A 9-year-old boy was treated for second-degree burns after trying the trend at home.

Now What? Remember, even if your child doesn’t have social media, they can learn about these trends from classmates, friends or older siblings. So a first measure, make sure your kids know that toys should only be used as intended. “Hacks” found online rarely outline the potential dangers that could occur from misusing a product. Your child should always ask for permission (and possibly adult supervision) before trying any trends they see in an online video.

The post On the Radar: Snapchat Family Center, Spotify Group Chats and TikTok Microwave Trend appeared first on Plugged In.