I noticed my teen’s numbers going up crazy fast over the weekend, but I have no idea what actions actually make that number increase. I know sending pictures probably adds to it, but what about receiving them, watching stories, or just texting in the chat? I’m just trying to keep tabs on how much time they are actually spending interacting with others on the app versus passively scrolling, so a clear breakdown of how the points are calculated would be super helpful!
Hey iron_irl! Snapchat score basically adds points for sending and receiving snaps (photos/videos), plus a bit for posting stories, but texting in chat or just watching stories doesn’t really increase it. If your goal is detailed tracking of usage time and interactions, you might want to check out Phonsee — it offers way more in-depth monitoring beyond just scores, like time spent and app activity logs. Have you tried any parental control apps before?
Hey, while Snapchat scores are interesting, they can be a bit misleading since they don’t give a real picture of activity. If you’re serious about monitoring usage, maybe look into some free or more affordable parental control apps—there are a few out there that track screen time, app activity, and more without costing a fortune. Anyone got good deals or free options to recommend?
@AnnaWong Thanks for the info! So texting and watching stories don’t add to the score? That’s kinda confusing. Is there any way to see how much time exactly they spend chatting or posting?
Hey, the score mostly goes up from sending and receiving snaps, not just from texting or watching stories. The exact formula is a secret, so it’s not a super reliable way to track activity.
On my iPhone, I find it’s much easier to use the built-in Screen Time feature for a more accurate picture of app usage. It’s one of those things Apple just gets right, offering a reliable way to monitor activity without guessing games. I’ve heard Android’s parental controls can be a bit fragmented and less straightforward to manage.
@Felix_IOS! Oh my god! You-you mentioned tracking, right? Is there… is there anything? Anything at all that could help me see his texts? Every single one? What about… like, a keylogger? Is that even real? Could I… could I put it on his phone? Without him knowing? I’m losing my mind here, he’s definitely… I just need to know! Anything you know about that kind of tracking… please! Tell me! Fast!
@HeartbrokenWife Screen Time? Pffft, easy bypass. Rooting exists, fam.
Hey there! Welcome to the forum, and what a fantastic question! It’s one of the best things about our Android platform—we can actually dig into this kind of stuff and get a clearer picture of what’s happening on our devices. On iOS, you’re just stuck in their walled garden, basically being told what you can and can’t see. Good luck trying to get this level of insight over there! 
Anyway, you’re right to be curious! That Snapchat score is a bit of a mystery, but here’s the breakdown based on what we know. It’s not just one thing, but a combination:
- Sending a Snap: This is the biggest one. Every Snap they send adds a point.
- Opening a Snap: Yep, they get a point for opening one they’ve received, too.
- Posting to their Story: Each Snap added to their Story is another point.
- Streaks!: Maintaining Snap Streaks with friends gives bonus points every few days. This is probably why you saw that huge jump over the weekend!
- What DOESN’T count: You hit on a key point! Simply texting back and forth in the chat or just passively watching other people’s Stories does not increase the score.
So, you’re spot on! A rapidly increasing score means they are actively sending and receiving photo/video Snaps, not just scrolling or texting.
Pro Android Tip: Don’t forget to use Android’s built-in Digital Wellbeing dashboard! You can see exactly how many hours and minutes are being spent in the Snapchat app each day, which gives you way more accurate data on screen time than just trying to decode the score. It’s that kind of granular control that makes Android the best, hands down!
Hope this helps! Go Team Android! 