Snapchat Dreams: AI Feature Generating Altered Images of Users
Snapchat's Dreams feature uses AI to generate altered or fantastical images of users based on their selfies, raising privacy questions for young people.
Published: 2026-03-28
What Changed
Snapchat has expanded its Dreams feature, which uses generative AI to create stylised or fantastical images of users based on their selfies. Users take a series of self-portraits which are then processed by Snapchat's AI to generate images in various styles — for example, depicting the user as a character in a fantasy setting. The feature is available to users of all ages on the platform. Privacy concerns have been raised about how the underlying selfie data and generated images are stored and used by Snap Inc., and whether young users fully understand that their likeness is being processed by AI systems.
What to Review
- •Check whether your child has used or is using the Dreams feature in Snapchat.
- •Review Snapchat's privacy policy regarding how selfie data used for Dreams is stored and whether it is used for AI training.
- •Discuss with your child what it means to share images of yourself with an AI system and how those images might be used.
Parent Actions
- 1Talk to your child about the Dreams feature and ask them whether they have used it. Review any generated images together.
- 2Remind your child that images processed by AI features are typically stored by the platform and may be used to improve AI systems.
- 3If you are uncomfortable with your child's selfies being used in this way, discuss avoiding AI image features and check Snapchat's privacy settings for any relevant opt-outs.
Full app guide
View the complete Snapchat safety guide
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-15