Social Cues of Snapchat

When considering snapchat it is generally understood that it is the communication and sending of pictures back and forth between various individuals. People snap each other questions leading to conversations which can be answered with a snap of their face, surroundings, filter etc. Snapchat can be related to social cues which is one of Baym’s concepts of mediation. Social cues are understood to be face to face, in person communication methods. Although snapchat offers communication through pictures which could potentially be your face, that does not mean that it sufficient face to face communication. Social media platforms like Snapchat cause people to become so immersed within technology that they forget to be in the now. Throughout Vaterlaus study, he shares that “the Snapchat app, in and of itself, can be annoying in relationships if not ‘used correctly,’” (597). Using Snapchat “properly” means snapping someone in moderation; not seeming too eager to respond but not taking ten hours to reply. It was being found that people were getting upset for people not responding fast enough. This is definitely an issue within our generation especially with the invention of snapmaps; where you are now able to see when people have last been active on Snapchat and their exact location if they allow it within their settings. This is where Snapchat lacks the ability of seeing social cues within another person’s facial expressions and body language; when we are unable to see and have face to face interactions with people, things can be misinterpreted. Someone could be having a busy day and does not have time to open and reply to all of their snapchats which is why they aren’t responding but without this communication factor the receiver does not know and can become annoyed or enraged. 

References 

Vaterlaus, J.M., Barnett., Roche, C., &Young, J. (2016). ‘Snapchat is More Personal’: An Exploratory Study on Snapchat Behaviors and Young Adult Interpersonal Relationships. Computers in Human Behavior, 594-601. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.04.029