Snapchat: “Our” Story
Snapchat, the extremely popular social media app, has a feature called “Our Story”. According to Snapchat’s website, “Our Story allows Snapchatters who are at the same event location to contribute Snaps to the same Story.” “Snaps” are quick, maximum 10 second videos or pictures that disappear once they have been viewed. As a frequent Snapchat user, I have watched the “Our Story” feature develop since Snapchat first released it. Events that have been featured have occurred all over the world. Some examples that I can recall from memory include the World Cup of Soccer, several music festivals, Diwali celebrations in India, many college football games, the “Je Suis Charlie” movement after the shootings in Paris last month, and several others. They are usually quite captivating, as one gets a first person perspective on events that one would normally not get to experience otherwise. For example, there was a video that was shot 5ft. away from Lionel Messi walking up the stairs after the World Cup, a perspective that TV cameras could not even get.
A blog post on Linkedin elaborates on why Snapchat is so captivating. The authour believes that because social media users are constantly so bombarded with pictures, information and texts, we can easily skim through and not really pay attention to any of the material going by our eyes. However, because of the limited time and the disappearance of Snaps after viewing them, Snapchat is unique in the social media world because it forces the user to focus their attention, just for a few seconds, or else they might miss it. A website called the Verge even described this as a useful journalistic tool, which I completely agree with.
The potential use of “Our Story” as a journalistic tool drew my attention to what was, and what was not getting to be featured on these stories, that Snapchat’s millions of users were viewing. To use a very recent example, how come “Je Suis Charlie” was given the spotlight, but not the protests in Ferguson or the views of the Muslim communities who were deeply offended by the depictions of the Prophet Mohammed? If Snapchat is claiming to build collective stories of people around the world, almost like mini, short lasting autobiographies, who is the one choosing the stories that get to be shown?
I would encourage Snapchat users to continue to enjoy the “Our Story” feature as much as I have, but also to think critically about what we are getting to see, and who is picking what we get to see.
Great Post Yael!
Thanks for the info on Snapchat, I’ve never used it myself but was curious as to how or even why people would send such short images and videos. Now that I’ve read this blog post it has helped me to understand the value behind it.
The use of Snapchat by journalists can help captivate the attention of readers, as you mentioned. And as for international journalists, they can use it as a “sound bite” without even needing to speak; eliminating potential language barriers between journalists and readers.
Very interesting and informative blog post Yael! Thanks!
Jenn
This is an interesting post and made me think more about the results of having “Our Stories.” One thing that often bothers me while watching is that the people filming appear to be more interested in capturing the moment on their phone to share with friends and the world than actually witnessing it. Although it’s great that those not attending the event can have a first hand look, it’s almost as if showing off is more important than living in the moment. This seems to be a trend on my own timeline of friends snapchat stories, when a night out with friends turns into 100+ second stories and everyone in the video is filming as well. Do you notice this trend as well and what do you think of it?
Hey Camille!
I completely agree! Since coming to University especially, it feels like Snapchat stories are used mostly for trying to outdo your other friends stories that go to other universities. It seems like a way to compete over who had the best nights. I agree it’s super frustrating.