On the surface, Snapchat is a powerful communication tool, providing unlimited hours of social interaction and entertainment through AI chatbots, friend connections, amusing pictures, and games. But Snapchat is not all above board and positive. Snapchat heavily manipulates its teen users, not only intentionally making the app especially addictive for teens, but also exposing users to porn, drugs, and the ability to sext. But before exploring the dark side of Snap, let’s take a look at its history.
Originally named “Picaboo,” Snap was created to allow users to send texts and pictures that would be immediately unfindable and “obliterated.” In other words, the creators wanted to help make sure old photos and videos would not come back to haunt users. After over a decade of development, extra features, multiple lawsuits, and demolished competitors, Snap became one of the most used Social Media apps in the world. As of 2023, Snap had 347 million daily users. Over 60%+ percent teens use this app, and that number is ever increasing.
Anyone unfamiliar with Snap (especially adults) may be wondering—what does Snap actually do and why is it so popular? The main feature used on Snap is to text/send pictures AKA to “snap” someone. For each Snap you send, you have the option to use filters. Some of these are specific to your location or only available for a short period of time, but the majority of these filters are available to all users. You build up a “Snapstreak” with other users by Snapping them at least once every 24 hours. The Snapstreak is one primary way Snap gets users “hooked” on the app. Snap also has a ChatGPT-esque AI chatbot, but it is by no means as high powered or smart as ChatGPT. Snap has Tik-Tok like short, endless swipe videos, a location tracker so your friends can see where you are, and even the ability to have group chats. Snap is basically a mix of 6 other apps.
But this baseline understanding of Snap does not acknowledge the less rosy, dark side of Snap. Perhaps the most obvious, worrying part of Snap is “Snapchat Premium” accounts. Among other problems, these accounts allow models to directly sell their “adult” content to anyone who wants it. This is a worrying option to have on an app primarily marketed to and used by teens. But even more concerning is the pervasiveness of “sexting” through Snapchat. Studies, including from the Pew Research Center, have shown disturbing numbers of teens either sending or receiving sexually suggestive or nude photos, and even those numbers are thought to be inaccurate because of teens’ hesitation to answer research questions honestly and admit to such behavior. A similar study was conducted reviewing sexting specifically through Snap, and found similar, if not higher results. Snap facilitates an already huge problem among teens, now allowing them to feel more comfortable sending inappropriate photos since they will soon be permanently deleted and unfindable. If someone does try to screen shot the photo, Snap would notify the sender. So users feel even “safer” sending photos that would’ve been unthinkable just a few short years ago. Not only is the exchange of such photos problematic on its face, but the problem increased during Covid19 when Snap began being used for “revenge porn.” While porn and sexting are the primary temptations/problems on Snap, the easy ability to purchase harmful drugs laced with fentanyl is also worrying. Currently, the FBI is investigating Snap after many reports that teens died after taking a drug illegally bought off of Snap. It is well-established, therefore, both through existing research and the anecdotal experiences of many teens, that Snap is causing a disturbing increase in the exchange of pornography and the sale of drugs.
So where do you go from here? To any parents/adults reading this article, I encourage you to take another look if your kids have Snap. If you allow your child to have it, research the parental controls you can put in place to help limit the ability of your child to access porn or sexting. Talk with your child about what they may encounter and make sure they are equipped to handle the many temptations that Snap presents. Most of us, frankly, are not. To my classmates, and any other teens reading this article, I would highly encourage you to start small—maybe get off Snap for Advent. Spend that time praying and developing your friendships in person. I promise you, no one deeply cares about your Snapstreak. And you may just find that the benefits you experience through Snap are not worth the temptations and addictions that come with it. As the saying goes, “it’s hard to be good in a bad situation.”
