“Snapchat is a new way to share photos with friends and family. We’re making “social media” fun again. And we’re totally mobile.”
So, where did Snapchat start? And what’s it all about?
Snapchat was designed in late 2011 by four pals, who went to Stanford University together, for a class (most of whom apparently thought it would never take off) they were taking on ‘Product Design.’
As it stands now, it is basically a free app that allows a user to take a photo or video (or ‘Snap’…) on their mobile phone and send it to one or more friends. But hey, isn’t that just a regular old MMS? Well no, because the thing about Snapchat is that said photos/videos have a limit of 10 seconds viewing time, before they SELF-DESTRUCT.
Also, you can doodle on the ‘Snaps’ before sending them away, thus doubling or even potentially tripling their hilarity.
You know what is not hilarious, though? Parents Groups. Who are obviously bereft with the app and the potential it holds to corrupt their children’s mortal souls. Or more specifically, corrupt their children’s mortal souls through the evil of “sexting” (always mentioned with apostrophes and hushed tones), “the unofficial practice of sending nude or sexually suggestive images via smartphones and other mobile devices” (is how they describe this unsavoury practice to one another).
Alleged ad allegedly found ‘on a college site’ via girlsminister
We thought it might be nice to ask a random user about their experience with this disgraceful vortex of filth:
Since you downloaded the app how much have you been using it?
I have been using it on a daily basis with a select group of my nearest and dearest ie. the only other ppl I know who have downloaded it.
How does it work? What do you have to do to get started?
To sign up you just download the app (free) and enter your phone number (lol, as if they’re not capturing data!). You are then given a list of all your contacts who are using Snapchat. You tick a little box if you want to befriend someone and then you can start snapchatting them.
As far as sending messages, it is easy-as. You take a picture and select how long you want the message to stay active, from anywhere between 1-10 seconds. There is also a drawing function so you can put your best Photoshop skillz to werk and doodle or write on the pic.
You can also hold down the picture taking button and take a quick vid (with sound), which is great for doing small tours of your house/the party you are currently at etc. You can also doodle on the vids, ideal! Also, you don’t have to use any pic or vid you don’t like, you can take them as many times as you want until you’re happy.
Then you just press the USE button and you’re taken to your Address Book where you can send the vid to as many ppl as you like! You can also see when your pic or vid has been delivered/opened successfully. You can ALSO see if someone has screenshot’d the pic you have sent them – DON’T USE SNAPCHAT WITH RANDOMZ, KIDZ. IT IS CREEPY AND JUST RECOMMENDED FOR LOLZ BETWEEN PALZ.
What is the best way to use Snap Chat? For what kind of messaging?
Best way to use snapchat is with your pals who you have the best LOLz with in real life and just add a new dimension to your not-IRL friendship.
What’s the best thing about Snap Chat?
Great way to curb boredom in ad breaks when none of your friends are on Twitter.
What’s wrong with Snap Chat?
Apparo it is the new great way to sext, be creepy etc. Also, not enough of my funniest friends have it yet. GET ON BOARD ALREADY GUISE.
Can you even just look at how much fun you could be having?
A few additional important questions from the FAQ on the website:
What’s the deal with the ghost?
He’s our mascot, Ghostface Chillah.
What does my HISCORE mean?
Your HISCORE is the total number of snaps sent and received between you and your friends.
How does someone become your best friend?
Your best friends on Snapchat are updated on a weekly basis and represent the friends you chat with most frequently.
Oooooh weee, Snapchat, ooh wee, (la-la-la-la, lala etcetera)
One of the four bros who created Snapchat, Evan Spiegal, recently responded to the ‘OHNOESEXTING!!!’ hubbub after it was reported by the New York Times. What did he have to say? “I’m not convinced that the whole sexting thing is as big as the media makes it out to be,” he said. “I just don’t know people who do that. It doesn’t seem that fun when you can have real sex.” There you have it, parents. Your youths are safe!
Other issues raised are regarding privacy, which comes as a surprise when you’re talking social media. Firstly, the issue of the screenshot, which most smartphones are capable of taking and are in no way blocked by the app. Sure, “the sender will be notified immediately” if someone takes a screenshot of whatever they sent, but they can’t retrieve it once they are alerted. They, and most likely the entire internet, have that screenshot 5ever and ever. Also, as outlined in an article eloquently entitled ‘A Dick Pic Is Forever‘, University of Michigan student and hacker Raj Vir recently posted that he had found a way to save any picture on Snapchat.
Now all that is really left is for the social-mediacurious amongst you to download Snapchat and see it for yourself. As with most things in the world, digital or otherwise – the best rule to remember is to keep your peens, boobs and vaginas to yourselves and those you are actively doing a sex on.
