“When we started Snapchat, we wanted something different. We didn’t like the existing social networks”declares Evan Spiegel, boss of Snap. At the group’s annual conference in Santa Monica, he recalled how his company launched vertical videos or, in 2013, “Stories” which disappear in 24 hours, widely copied since.
“No likes or comments, you share your perspectivehe insisted. And it works. More than 850 million people use Snapchat (every month) and we continue to grow. »
But although the application has become the main means of communication for many adolescents, it is still not profitable and remains in the shadow of the giants Meta, Google and TikTok.
A position which has its advantages: Snapchat is often seen as the good student in the eyes of authorities, associations and parents worried about the harmful consequences of social networks on young people.
“Less pressure”
“We found that time spent on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube has a negative impact on mental health. Conversely, time spent on Snapchat had a positive effect on friendships and well-being, but did not have a significant impact on self-esteem.concluded researchers from the University of Amsterdam. “It’s the least harmful app”adds Adriana Vecchioli, content creator.
She talks about the pressure that young women particularly feel “to look pretty, rather than being yourself” and appreciates that, on Snapchat, selfies “disappear” : “It gives more freedom. »
For Matthew Bergman, who founded a rights organization “victims of social networks” In court, the absence of storage of messages on the contrary facilitates criminal activities, such as the exchange of child pornography images or the sale of drugs.
It’s true that there are weird people, but hey I systematically block them
In more than 25 countries, three-quarters of young people aged 13 to 34 use Snapchat.
Lily, 14, only texts family or friends “very close”. For everyone else, she uses the social network, “because it is not always necessary to speak”she explains. “We can also simply send photos, it puts less pressure. »
She also likes augmented reality filters and games, and brushes aside the problem of bad actors. “It’s true that there are weird people who try to add you to their contacts, talk to you and other things, but hey, I systematically block them”she explains. Her parents haven’t allowed her to go on Instagram yet.
For Matthew Bergman, the ghost app does not stand out from the others. “All these platforms have the same economic model, which consists of capturing the attention of users as much as possible, to the detriment of their security”he accuses.
“They all use the same methods to make children dependent on their service. »
“At the end of the day, Snap, like Meta, is a business”comments Jasmine Enberg, analyst. “It must find a delicate balance between protecting its users and generating revenue. »
Related News :