Snapchat: The Good and the Bad
The social media app Snapchat currently ranks as the most popular site for teenagers. It is specifically designed for mobile devices. Current statistics reveal people under the age of 25 use Snapchat for 40 minutes on average each day.
Snapchat was invented in 2011 by a couple of Stanford University students who were looking for something in between texting and Facebook. Like other social media platforms, the app is free.
Snapchat is similar to texting with photos or videos. It is a messaging platform and a social network. The unique thing about it is that messages, pictures and videos will disappear in a matter of seconds. The sender decides how long the picture will be live, anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds. In 2017, Snapchat added an infinity option for messages with no time limit, but once the snap is closed, it will be deleted. Receivers can take a screenshot of the image or message if time allows but the sender is notified when that occurs. Users can also post on the My Story option which lasts 24 hours. This feature is a great way to show a fun event or adventure in a temporary fashion unlike posts on Facebook or Instagram which live on forever.
Teens and young adults actually use Snapchat to communicate more than just texting. The Streak feature lets a user keep track of exchanges between friends. The idea is to keep up a daily streak of quick photos with your inner circle. The more streaks you have with people, the more time it takes to post to all of them. This can get in the way of homework, chores and the ability to connect with real humans standing nearby. Snapchat has a group message option as well.
The platform also allows users to track the whereabouts of friends on the Snap Map feature. The friends appear as a their avatars linked through the Bitmoji app. This can be a good or bad thing. If you are waiting for a ride, you can see how close your pick up will be, or if a friend you are meeting is already at the restaurant or game. If everyone is at the same location and you were not invited, FOMO can become a real thing which can lead to depression and anxiety. A user can choose to let only specific people see where they are.
One aspect of Snapchat I like as a Mom is the ability to use my Bitmoji avatar to communicate rather than just using words. It’s fun to have an entire conversation with Bitmoji images. You can convey the perfect sentiment or inject a little humor into your daily conversations.
As with any social media, talk with your kids about inappropriate images. Anything can quickly be saved and sent out to others. Snapchat should not be viewed as an covert platform for sexting, using bad language or bullying others.