Snapchat

## Key Terms

**Bitmoji :** Customized avatar

**Friend Emojis :** Emojis that show up next to your "best friends" aka the people you Snapchat the most

**Filters :** Additives to enhance your photos

**Streak :** How many days two people have snapchatted each other in a row

 **Snapcode :** A person's barcode to easily scan and add friends

**Snapchat Story :** A video or picture that you post so that all your friends can see

**Memories :** Pictures or videos that you can save and later view or later post in your story

**Snapchat score:** a sum of the snaps you have sent versus the snaps you have received

**Geofilter**: festive filter specific to your current location

## Interesting Facts

* Snapchat was originally named "Picaboo" as an iOS-only app up until being relaunched for Android users in 2012.
* Snapchat is valued at $800 million according to the Institutional Venture Partners
* Mark Zuckerberg (co-founder of Facebook) attempted to purchase Snapchat for $1 billion in October 2013 however, founders of Snapchat denied the offer. Zuckerberg returned about a month later with a $3 billion offer, which was again declined.
* The mascot for Snapchat was named "Ghostface Chilla".
* 65% of people retake a selfie 1-5 times before sending it.
* Snapchat is availible in 22 languages

## Analysis

**Who uses it?**

According to a recent Forbes article "85% of Snapchat's 158 million daily users are between the ages of 18 and 34" while, "Just 15% of users are 35-and-up". These statistics clearly show that Snapchat's primary demographic is the younger generation giving us insight into who the company is attempting to appeal to. The intended demographic is evident even with the most superficial use of the app, everything from the user interface to the language the app uses is specifically catered to a younger generation.

**What's its purpose?**

Snapchat can be used to stay connected with friends, family, and the rest of the world through pictures, videos, and messages. You are able to have conversations, share media and, even video-call other users. The apps primary use is as a social network, although many people also use it as a media feed giving them news about their friends and the world at large.

**Who sponsors it?**

Snapchat's primary business model functions by selling add space on their platform which will be broadcast to their massive user base. Snapchat has many partners that are able to upload adds to the app. These partners Include Amobee, Bidalgo, 4C, MakeMeReach, and Sprinklr (Developers).

**What benefits come with using the app?**

People are able to share and tell stories. Teens are getting their news from Snapchat because it’s easy to use and in real time. This is less social pressure because there are no buttons. Snapchat allows its user to express themselves
artistically when they may have no where else to express themselves. The users
get to bond with their peers because Snapchat is one of the closest social
medias to face to face interaction. Snapchat is like an actual conversation
because the pictures, videos, and chats disappear and are not saved forever
much like an actual flowing conversation. (Cyberwise)

**What drawbacks come with using the app?**

One drawback to Snapchat, just like any other social media, is that people could possibly use it for cyberbullying. One not so common drawback, in comparison to other social media platforms, is that some users use the application for sexting. These are things that parents should keep an eye on if their children are using the application. (Cyberbullying)

## Sample

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XowKCWYMAqE

https://youtu.be/RY\_jXa\_Lq\_c

## Sources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenchaykowski/2017/03/01/snapchats-big-weakness-the-olds/#35e06d9b230b

https://developers.snapchat.com/ads/partners/

https://www.google.com/amp/www.cyberwise.org/single-post/2017/07/11/5-Ways-Snapchat-Benefits-Teens%3f\_amp\_=true

https://cyberbullying.org/snapchat-basics