diff --git src/bp-core/bp-core-buddybar.php src/bp-core/bp-core-buddybar.php
index 5121385..108321e 100644
--- src/bp-core/bp-core-buddybar.php
+++ src/bp-core/bp-core-buddybar.php
@@ -32,9 +32,46 @@ defined( 'ABSPATH' ) || exit;
  * @return bool|null Returns false on failure.
  */
 function bp_core_new_nav_item( $args = '' ) {
+
+	// First, add the nav item link to the bp_nav array.
+	$created = bp_core_create_nav_link( $args );
+
+	// To mimic the existing behavior, if bp_core_create_nav_link()
+	// returns false, we make an early exit and don't attempt to register
+	// the screen function.
+	if ( false === $created ) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	// Then, hook the screen function for the added nav item.
+	bp_core_register_nav_screen_function( $args );
+
+}
+
+/**
+ * Add a link to the main BuddyPress navigation array.
+ *
+ * @param array $args {
+ *     Array describing the new nav item.
+ *     @type string      $name                    Display name for the nav item.
+ *     @type string      $slug                    Unique URL slug for the nav item.
+ *     @type bool|string $item_css_id             Optional. 'id' attribute for the nav item. Default: the value of `$slug`.
+ *     @type bool        $show_for_displayed_user Optional. Whether the nav item should be visible when viewing a
+ *                                                member profile other than your own. Default: true.
+ *     @type bool        $site_admin_only         Optional. Whether the nav item should be visible only to site admins
+ *                                                (those with the 'bp_moderate' cap). Default: false.
+ *     @type int         $position                Optional. Numerical index specifying where the item should appear in
+ *                                                the nav array. Default: 99.
+ *     @type callable    $screen_function         The callback function that will run when the nav item is clicked.
+ *     @type bool|string $default_subnav_slug     Optional. The slug of the default subnav item to select when the nav
+ *                                                item is clicked.
+ * }
+ * @return bool|null Returns false on failure.
+ */
+function bp_core_create_nav_link( $args = '' ) {
 	$bp = buddypress();
 
-	$defaults = array(
+	$r = wp_parse_args( $args, array(
 		'name'                    => false, // Display name for the nav item
 		'slug'                    => false, // URL slug for the nav item
 		'item_css_id'             => false, // The CSS ID to apply to the HTML of the nav item
@@ -43,11 +80,9 @@ function bp_core_new_nav_item( $args = '' ) {
 		'position'                => 99,    // Index of where this nav item should be positioned
 		'screen_function'         => false, // The name of the function to run when clicked
 		'default_subnav_slug'     => false  // The slug of the default subnav item to select when clicked
-	);
-
-	$r = wp_parse_args( $args, $defaults );
+	) );
 
-	// If we don't have the required info we need, don't create this subnav item
+	// If we don't have the required info we need, don't create this nav item
 	if ( empty( $r['name'] ) || empty( $r['slug'] ) ) {
 		return false;
 	}
@@ -57,6 +92,15 @@ function bp_core_new_nav_item( $args = '' ) {
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * If this nav item is hidden for the displayed user, and
+	 * the logged in user is not the displayed user
+	 * looking at their own profile, don't create the nav item.
+	 */
+	if ( empty( $r['show_for_displayed_user'] ) && ! bp_user_has_access() ) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
 	if ( empty( $r['item_css_id'] ) ) {
 		$r['item_css_id'] = $r['slug'];
 	}
@@ -72,6 +116,54 @@ function bp_core_new_nav_item( $args = '' ) {
 		'default_subnav_slug'	  => $r['default_subnav_slug']
 	);
 
+}
+
+/**
+ * Register a screen function, whether or not a related nav link exists.
+ *
+ * @param array $args {
+ *     Array describing the new nav item.
+ *     @type string      $name                    Display name for the nav item.
+ *     @type string      $slug                    Unique URL slug for the nav item.
+ *     @type bool|string $item_css_id             Optional. 'id' attribute for the nav item. Default: the value of `$slug`.
+ *     @type bool        $show_for_displayed_user Optional. Whether the nav item should be visible when viewing a
+ *                                                member profile other than your own. Default: true.
+ *     @type bool        $site_admin_only         Optional. Whether the nav item should be visible only to site admins
+ *                                                (those with the 'bp_moderate' cap). Default: false.
+ *     @type int         $position                Optional. Numerical index specifying where the item should appear in
+ *                                                the nav array. Default: 99.
+ *     @type callable    $screen_function         The callback function that will run when the nav item is clicked.
+ *     @type bool|string $default_subnav_slug     Optional. The slug of the default subnav item to select when the nav
+ *                                                item is clicked.
+ * }
+ * @return bool|null Returns false on failure.
+ */
+function bp_core_register_nav_screen_function( $args = '' ) {
+	$bp = buddypress();
+
+	$defaults = array(
+		'name'                    => false, // Display name for the nav item
+		'slug'                    => false, // URL slug for the nav item
+		'item_css_id'             => false, // The CSS ID to apply to the HTML of the nav item
+		'show_for_displayed_user' => true,  // When viewing another user does this nav item show up?
+		'site_admin_only'         => false, // Can only site admins see this nav item?
+		'position'                => 99,    // Index of where this nav item should be positioned
+		'screen_function'         => false, // The name of the function to run when clicked
+		'default_subnav_slug'     => false  // The slug of the default subnav item to select when clicked
+	);
+
+	$r = wp_parse_args( $args, $defaults );
+
+	// If we don't have the required info we need, don't create this subnav item
+	if ( empty( $r['slug'] ) ) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	// If this is for site admins only and the user is not one, don't create the subnav item
+	if ( ! empty( $r['site_admin_only'] ) && ! bp_current_user_can( 'bp_moderate' ) ) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
  	/**
 	 * If this nav item is hidden for the displayed user, and
 	 * the logged in user is not the displayed user