Ahh, yes, Snapchat. The social media app that allows users to send and receive self-destructing photos and videos, create a rainbow flowing from one's mouth or doodle with the pen tool and create a snapsterpiece.
It's a nifty app and yes, while the title of this article is "This Is Why I Hate Snapchat," I will admit to still having the app, sending and receiving snaps, and viewing and creating snapstories.
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But something has been grinding my gears lately about Snapchat — and no, it's not the fact that they removed the option where you can view others' best friends (that's so 2015) — but something much more significant. Whether it's for one second or for ten seconds, so many users use the app to beg for attention.
Just because you can make a 500 second story doesn't mean you should (that's over 8 minutes, you wild snappers). And just because you can capture anything you want for Snapchat doesn't mean that it all has to be about you.
I've watched so many snaps where I feel like the user is indirectly saying look at me. Look at what I'm doing today. Pay attention to me. Me. Me. Me.
It's as if so many users feel the need to advertise their life constantly on this app, in order to prove to everyone how happy and extraordinary their life is.
Don't get me wrong, some snaps are funny. Send me a video of my friend passed out on a couch and another friend making silly motions behind their back, or a picture of my least favorite high school teacher buying cantaloupes in the local Shoprite. Like, c'mon, that's funny. Snapchat is good for a laugh like that once in a while.
But it’s the other types of snaps I get, that heck, I don’t even want to open anymore.
So you’re on vacation at the beach sunbathing while I’m freezing in Jersey? Yes, keep sending me your sandy snaps and videos of yourself getting a tan, hitting the club at night and anything else that would prove to me that you're having the time of your life.
So you got an A on an exam? Okay, congratulations, but I’m not your mom or your grandma or your rich uncle; I'm not going to reward you. I don't care as much as you probably think I do. Also, what if I took that same exact exam and got a B? Are you trying to make me feel badly about myself?
Or you’re taking cutesy kissing photos with your “bae.” Fantastic, but I don’t need a closeup of your smooch, or a picture of the dinner prepared by "the love of your life" and the presents you were surprised with. Meanwhile, my single self is eating a bag of stale and most likely expired goldfish on the couch.
All of these snaps are so self-centered and this app is giving users way too much opportunity to brag. Not everything deserves recognition on social media. And with the option for users to select who gets sent which snaps, it lets the attention-seekers selectively choose which of their Snapchat friends they’re going to show off to today.
Also, Snapchat should not be a diary. To be honest, and I hope this doesn't come as a shock to anyone, but I really don't care that you had a bagel for breakfast or that you were stuck in traffic, or that you went to the gym today so stop sending me multiple snaps a day of you doing normal adult things that everyone has to deal with. You're not special.
I do like the app, honestly. I just don't like the fact that it brings out different sides of people. Sometimes I'll meet someone new, add them as a friend on Snapchat, and then see them in a totally different light after they send me a snap of themselves in the dressing room at the mall, a snap selfie, a swimwear snap mirror pic, and a snap of them working out and flexing all within the span of two hours (who are you trying to impress? Because it ain't me fool).
Like it's okay every once in a while to create perhaps a lengthy story or send a couple snaps out to your pals. Something good happens in your life and you're so uncontrollably excited that you want to share it. Awesome, then send me a snap! But it's the constant "let me show off" snaps, or the "let me give you a detailed synopsis of my day" snaps that really irk me.
My point is, not everything needs to be broadcasted on social media. I promise that if something good happens and you forget to share it on Snapchat, the good thing won't disappear. Just because all your Snapchat friends won't know about it doesn't mean that it didn't happen. You should only worry about impressing yourself in life, not everyone else.
Bottom line: No one needs to know what you're doing 24-7 and not everything you do needs recognition.
