I'm not going to even bother explaining what Snapchat is because everyone and their mother has this app. And I'm not using "everyone and their mother" as a figure of speech, I mean that I actually know a large number of parents who have and use Snapchat (whether they fully understand it or not.)
Snapchat was released in September of 2011 by three men while they were students at Stanford University, and the use of this app since then has done nothing but skyrocket. According to an article by Lucas Matney:
"As of May 2015, the app's users were sending 2 billion photos and videos per day, while Snapchat Stories content was being viewed 500 million times per day. In November 2015 the number reached 6 billion sent videos per day."
And in 2016, this number has increased to 7 billion videos sent per day. This is a ridiculous number of pictures and videos sent from person to person every single day just using our smartphones. I would venture a guess that nearly every single person in my generation uses this app more than once per day, myself included. So here are some signs that you are addicted to Snapchat.
1. You post something to your My Story every single day.
The My Story is something that people use all the time to showcase their day, whether it's to low-key brag about the fact that they went to the gym or library and they think they're better than you because they lead a productive life, or because you went someplace cool and you want to show all your friends that you do cool things and don't just sit around all day.
2. And you check to see who and how many people viewed it.
You're lying if you haven't checked to see if a specific person has seen your story. Whether it be you ex, the human you're "talking to" or if you want your friends to see that you're having a grand time wherever you are.
3. You know what all the little emojis mean next people's names.
We all were very confused as to what all the various hearts and faces were paired with people's names, but if you're a frequent Snapchat user, you know exactly what it means when you have a red heart and a fire sign with a number next to someone's name. It's almost like knowing another mediocre language.
4. People have folders full of ugly, blackmail worthy screenshot's of you.
It's a very terrifying folder.
5. You get upset when the place you're in doesn't have a Geotag and/or you get really excited when you discover there's a new Geotag.
How else are you supposed to let people know that you're not on campus or that you went somewhere cool over break?!
6. Whoever is in charge of your data in your family has questioned your Snapchat usage.
"What is Snapchat and why are you using it so much?" is a phrase you've heard before.
7. You've accidentally sent a revolting Snap of your double chin to the wrong person and wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
Usually a person that you're "talking to" or someone that will use it to blackmail you for the rest of your life.
8. You take pride in your Snapchat score, but you're also a little ashamed of it
98,430 is just far too high.
9. If you didn't know what a Snapchat score was, you just checked yours and were shocked and a little upset with yourself about how often you use this app.
It's OK, there are indeed others like you.
10. You frequently use the filters and cackle about how funny some of them are.
The face swap filter is one of the funniest and most dangerous filters. Do not use in the library or other quiet places.
11. You actually read the discover and live stories when you're bored.
I've learned a lot about sports because of the ESPN story. They're great to read when you're waiting for something or you want to avoid talking to people in public and want to look busy.
12. You've woken up Sunday morning and your Story as well as your friend's help you remember what an idiot you were the night before.
This is followed by frantic texts to your friends to take their story of you describing how you would have a passionate love affair with a Chipotle burrito down ASAP.
13. You don't trust people who never send ugly Snapchats.
Double chin or bust.
14. You often lay in bed and watch all the new Snap stories you haven't seen before even thinking about getting up.
Thirty minutes later, and you're having serious FOMO and you still haven't done anything with your day.
If any or all of these apply to you—never fear—they apply to me, too. Never change, my friend.
Photo by 
