In a world where texts and calls have been replaced by quick pictures and long streaks, teenagers are often uncertain about the effect that the popular social media platform, Snapchat, has had on them. While many say that it is just a fun app to enjoy in their free time, others have a more negative view of the boredom buster. With a staggering 460 million daily users, Snapchat has made its mark on the young minds of high schoolers today. Whether that mark is good or bad… let’s dive in.

To start, let’s look at the pros of the platform. At its core, it is an easy way to interact with peers and distant acquaintances without actually having to meet them in person. And, honestly, it can be really fun. With a wide variety of niche (and often strange) filters, people can be swept up in the otherworldly nature of the app. Another pull for Snapchat is that it’s perceived as more casual than messages. Asking for someone’s Snap is less intimidating than asking for their phone number. It’s an informal and simple yet fun way to connect with others. Globally, these factors keep attracting new users every day, and there is no sign of it slowing down.

Unfortunately, there is a dark side to the story of Snapchat, and more people are starting to understand the downsides of the app. I can’t count the number of times my friends have mentioned that they wish they had never downloaded the app because of its addictive nature. They feel stuck. Not wanting to break the streak and disappoint their peers, they dispassionately continue their use of the app. Many users fall into this pattern, and after a while, it becomes more draining than fun. 

So why not just delete it? Peer pressure may have an important part in answering that question. 55% or more of high school students use Snapchat, so it has become a norm in teen culture. It falls under the umbrella of “everyone else does it, so I should too.” This toxic motto has been correlated to mental illnesses and burnout. Everyone agrees that social media doesn’t exactly encourage good mental health, and Snapchat might play a bigger role in this than some may think.

So while it is clear that Snapchat can be a simple way to communicate with a wide range of people, it clearly has its faults. Some love it, some hate it, and some feel a mix of both. Whatever your opinion may be, Snapchat has definitely become a love-hate thing.