By Lizzy Cimilluca ’17

Snapchat has taken over social media, whether those using it are students in our halls or celebrities in Hollywood. Snapchat is a way to communicate with someone by sending and receiving pictures or videos that can include a limited amount of characters.

Students across the board have become infatuated with Snapchat. Students have Snapchatted during the day so often that teachers have taken notice. A teacher will turn around for a second only to turn back and see their students replying to a snap.

“It’s either a kid is Snapchatting in my class or playing Bubble Shooter,” said English teacher Ms. Dunphy.

Today, people even establish relationships through this app. These messages take the place of an actual phone conversation, email or text messages. All the stages of dating can be seen through Snapchat. First, add your crush’s username and then send pictures back and forth. Once you establish a “streak” and become each other’s “best friends”, the relationship is official. From there, a couple develops.

So what makes Snapchat so appealing? It turns out pictures actually can say a thousand words.

“I feel it is a better way to communicate with people,” senior Tess Dyer said. “It is more personal to me. Also I like being able to send pictures and see their face.”

Most people would agree that they’d rather have Wi-Fi for Snapchat over text messages. This goes to show how Snapchat has taken over high school students.”It is an entertaining way to see what all your friends are up to and to talk to them,” said sophomore Bailey Schuster, “You can interact with your friends and the new effects that are provided make it more fun than texting.”

In past years, Twitter was the default mean of communication in terms of social media. Students could tweet about their feelings, pet peeves or current status, essentially keeping their followers constantly updated. Twitter is still popular, but other social media apps are rapidly moving past it, such as Snapchat, Vsco, Musical.y and Instagram. Most people use Twitter only to follow funny accounts and watch humorous videos.

Making stories on Snapchat is one of the most popular features on the app. A story is something you can post on your Snapchat that can include a picture or a video. They are a way to show your followers what you’re doing and essentially keep one entertained and constantly laughing. Much can be assumed about a person based on the types of stories he or she will post.

Students can use stories to track their favorite celebrities as well. “I really like DJ Khaled stories, they’re great,” said junior Jack Delehanty.

Snapchat has become the biggest 2016 social media hit; that is, until something better comes around to take its place.