Snapchat is a free app that allows users to message images and videos (up to 10 seconds long) to a controlled audience. After the allotted time has expired, the videos and images disappear. I am a user of this app and love it. Casey Neistat (2014) created a video to describe how Snapchat has “murdered” Facebook because it allows users to connect in new and preferred ways. Photos and videos can no longer be logged and scrutinized like earlier apps such as Facebook and Instagram. Since the images disappear, users are less worried about how they look (Madrigal, 2013). Users can send images only to certain friends or upload them to their “stories.” Stores allow all people that you are connected with to view the posted images and the images stay posted for 24 hours before being erased. The addition of “stories” to the app caused higher usage (Neistat, 2014). Users can digitally follow what their friends have done throughout the day by watching their stories. It’s an easy and entertaining way to stay connected. Like Twitter and Facebook, it is a platform that allows all types of audiences to connect with each other (Madrigal, 2013). However, Facebook and Instagram have information about users posted and their posts are backlogged. Snapchat allows users to connect simply by having the person’s phone number or Snapchat username. This allows users to avoid sharing certain information about themselves with their connected friends.
There will always be new and different ways to digitally connect with friends. Casey Neistat (2014) points out that the first platform was Friendster, which was trumped by Myspace, then Facebook, Instagram and now Snapchat. Once a new, trending app is created, older ways of connecting are used less and less. This is the digital age in which everything is new and evolving. Snapchat will be around for a while, but ultimately, if the trend continues, it will be overshadowed by a newer platform. To stay up-to-date on the latest digital tools, it takes a lot of work and effort. I became a Snapchat user because my younger sister wanted to send me snaps. She told me how much she liked it so I downloaded it. I am not one of the most avid users, but most of my friends use the app and it allows me to stay connected even without texting.
Sending images or videos of your day is a powerful way to communicate. It’s as if you can go through the day with your friends alongside you. Many of my teacher friends have it as well. Recently I went on a field trip that one of my colleagues was unable to attend. I sent snaps throughout the day to her to show her how it was going. It’s almost as if you are recording your day and your friends get to play it back. Neistat states that there is no other video app that allows people to tell a story like Snapchat. I know I will not be able to keep up with the trends of technology forever because they are constantly changing. In the meantime, I know I have earned a little credibility with my students because they know I use Snapchat.
Resources
Madrigal, A. (2013, November 15). What Is Snapchat? Retrieved June 11, 2015, from
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/11/what-is-snapchat/281551/
Neistat, C. (2014, October 1). Snapchat Murders Facebook. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/kKSr6h5-fCU?list=PLbRLdW37G3oMquOaC-HeUIt6CWk-FzaGp
There will always be new and different ways to digitally connect with friends. Casey Neistat (2014) points out that the first platform was Friendster, which was trumped by Myspace, then Facebook, Instagram and now Snapchat. Once a new, trending app is created, older ways of connecting are used less and less. This is the digital age in which everything is new and evolving. Snapchat will be around for a while, but ultimately, if the trend continues, it will be overshadowed by a newer platform. To stay up-to-date on the latest digital tools, it takes a lot of work and effort. I became a Snapchat user because my younger sister wanted to send me snaps. She told me how much she liked it so I downloaded it. I am not one of the most avid users, but most of my friends use the app and it allows me to stay connected even without texting.
Sending images or videos of your day is a powerful way to communicate. It’s as if you can go through the day with your friends alongside you. Many of my teacher friends have it as well. Recently I went on a field trip that one of my colleagues was unable to attend. I sent snaps throughout the day to her to show her how it was going. It’s almost as if you are recording your day and your friends get to play it back. Neistat states that there is no other video app that allows people to tell a story like Snapchat. I know I will not be able to keep up with the trends of technology forever because they are constantly changing. In the meantime, I know I have earned a little credibility with my students because they know I use Snapchat.
Resources
Madrigal, A. (2013, November 15). What Is Snapchat? Retrieved June 11, 2015, from
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/11/what-is-snapchat/281551/
Neistat, C. (2014, October 1). Snapchat Murders Facebook. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/kKSr6h5-fCU?list=PLbRLdW37G3oMquOaC-HeUIt6CWk-FzaGp