Snapchat is a new photo sharing app that is sweeping app stores worldwide. Unlike posting pics to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram; once they are seen by the intended recipient, they are gone. Snapchat is a free iOS and Android app that takes your snapshot, then allows you to send it to your friends. The built-in timer, allows you to set how long the person you are sending your picture to can see your image. The app will not even allow you to save the picture to your phone, or pull a photo from your photo library, so when the picture has been sent and seen, it's gone for good. That adds a nice fun element to it all. It’s almost like you need to make every moment count. Because once it’s gone…
But there are some warnings about this new kid on the block as well. Some people believe it's helping tweens and teens to use the app as a way to send explicit messages and pictures. By putting a timer on their photos, some believe they can send potentially scandalous (sexually tinted) pictures, without the direct risk of having them spread all over the web. While the app does not have a save image feature, there is always the screenshot feature on phones. However, according to Snapchat, users are notified if a screenshot was taken.
So parents, while this app was designed to be a fun way to share pictures with family and friends, this social network has a dark side. You should talk to your kids to see if they are using it, and see who they have been sending messages to. Snapchat is a fun way to send pictures and messages, but I’d like to see where it goes next. I don’t think the app will last and the fun factor will slowly fade, unless the company can come up with ways to expand its concept. Maybe video?
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