Innovative Approach to Messaging: Snapchat's early success can be attributed to its innovative approach of introducing disappearing messages, setting it apart from other social media platforms. The founders aimed to capture more authentic and spontaneous moments, encouraging users to share content without the fear of it lingering on the internet indefinitely (Ra).
Introduction of Distinctive Features: Snapchat's popularity grew with the introduction of features like Stories in 2013, allowing users to share a series of pictures and clips that vanish after one day. Augmented reality elements, such as filters and lenses, further enhanced the app's interactive and fun character. These features addressed the desire for more ephemeral and private communication, appealing to users seeking a casual and spontaneous way to share moments (Ra).
Concerns about Mental Health Impact: As Snapchat gained popularity, concerns about its impact on mental health emerged. The focus on visual communication, edited self-representation through filters, and the addictive nature of constant connectivity have been associated with issues like body image concerns and online harassment. User stories highlighted the potential psychological impact of the app's characteristics (Ra).
"Snapchat Dysmorphia" and Body Image: The emergence of "Snapchat Dysmorphia" highlights the negative impact of Snapchat filters on body image and self-perception. The trend reflects a desire to replicate digitally enhanced physical traits seen on social media, contributing to unrealistic beauty standards. The ease of manipulation through filters promotes a cultural acceptance of digitally altered photos as desirable, potentially affecting users' self-perception and leading to feelings of inadequacy (Rampul and Mejias) and (Habib et al.).
Exposure to Depression-related Content: Research by Akil et al. focuses on the increase in exposure to depression-related content on Snapchat and its potential impact on mental health. The study investigates how self-regulation plays a role in determining the effects of this content, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and support systems to mitigate potential harm to mental health (Akil et al.).
Advice for future researchers:
Here are some recommendations for future researchers exploring this topic. Based on my research, numerous databases lacked information on the impact of the Snapchat app on mental health or Snapchat itself. In order to get enough information on my topic I had to use many different databases. I found it better to use many different keywords to narrow down what I was looking for and find what keywords worked the best for my topic. My experience revealed that a more focused selection provided more information on Snapchat and its effects.
Reflection on research experience:
My research experience was both challenging and enlightening. I initially faced a lack of comprehensive data but adjusted my approach to focus on a smaller set of databases that provided significant insights. I found exploring "Snapchat Dysmorphia" and its impact on body image perceptions particularly intriguing, revealing the intricate relationship between technology, societal standards, and mental well-being. My interest grew from curiosity about Snapchat's effects to a heightened awareness of the harm caused by unrealistic beauty ideals on platforms like Snapchat. This emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions and interventions to create a healthier digital space. I am eager to continue learning about how social media affects mental well-being and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on this topic.
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