Take a trek with modern technology: Discovering Snapchat’s notable features

Snapchat is a messaging app that can be used in a multitude of different ways. It allows users to send texts, photos or videos to a friend or group of friends. But if you’re reading this as a high school student, you probably already know this.

According to a blog on hubspot.com, the app was created by Stanford University students Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy who wanted to make an app that could send explicit or inappropriate photos that would disappear over time. The app was first launched in July of 2011 under the name of Picaboo and was later relaunched as Snapchat two months later, according to hubspot.

Snapchat is best known for its photo filters that allow users to apply to themselves or friends for amusement or to improve physical appearance. Some popular filters include the freckle filter, the big mouth filter and the dog filter. Users can also post shareable stories that disappear after 24 hours and create a Bitmoji, a way to make yourself into an emoji.

Finally, there are “streaks.” Streaks keep track of how long a user and a friend have sent snaps back and forth to each other daily. Freshman Jillian Latchford said she sends streaks simply because others send them to her.

Snapchat also has a “memories” feature that acts like a cloud to store photos or videos. Users can go here to edit past photos, send them to friends again or share them on other media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook.

In the “discovery” section of Snapchat, users can view their friends’ stories, stories from celebrities, story playlists, which are stories where publishers such as BuzzFeed and Vice can upload content and live stories. Live stories are stories where snaps from other users are put into one big story based on a topic. For example, a story on the Pride Parade in New York will contain snaps from users at the parade.

I surveyed Milton High School students on their Snapchat use. The majority of the 210 students who responded said they use the app to text and keep in touch with old friends. Only 49 responded that they don’t have Snapchat or don’t use it often.

Personally, I use Snapchat more than any other app on my phone. Snapchat for me is the replacement for the normal call and text, except when I need to contact someone who doesn’t have Snapchat, such as my parents or grandparents.