Snap Streaks

Snapchat is arguably the most used social media of today's day and age. Yes, Twitter and Instagram are extremely popular as well, but neither have the immediate gratification that makes Snapchat so alluring. Ever since the update that added snap streaks went live it seems as though people cannot stop snapping. We discussed the reason behind this phenomena last year in Comm 202. The underlying psychology behind snap streaks is pretty easy to understand, when someone sees an increasing number with the threat of dropping down to zero if you break the streak they are naturally going to want to continue the snapping. This urge to keep the number going leads to meaningless snaps being sent back and forth in order to check the box and not drop the streak. I have seen people who have multiple snap streaks over 500 days long, which is well over a year. I also have a friend who has been trying to start a snap streak with me, but instead of starting a conversation with substance she'll send me a picture of her ceiling in the hopes that I'll send one back and the streak will continue. Every 4 days or so I will purposefully not snap her back, just to mess with her. Snapchat even has a feature where if your streak is about to end an hour glass will appear next to the number just to let you know "HEY, you better snap this person or your large number will disappear!" There is nothing wrong with wanting to snap the same person repeatedly, but you have to acknowledge the fact that the masterminds behind snap streaks are preying on your innate desire to "keep the streak going."

-Joey Arzeno