World News

By Rosie McAllister ‘28 in Spring 2026

Have you ever woken up to find that your snapstreak is about to end due to neglect on your part? The rush of anxiety that fills your body, not because the small fire emoji carries monetary value, but because you find it has simply become a symbol of your friendship and commitment. It almost feels as though a failure to keep it turns into a chore, and that carries more social significance and weight than one might initially think. 

The Harvard Journal investigates a similar version of this issue through its discussion of how social media as a whole negatively affects teenagers. Their research found that “teens’ anxiety, poor self-esteem, insecurity, and sadness are attributed, at least in part, to constant social media use.” By inducing “sadness,” social media platforms provide their users with a sense of dependence on the content. Snapchat achieves this through the snapstreak feature. By keeping the streak going, you are showing the person on the other side that you care about them, at least enough to send them a photo of the wall every day. Through constant pressure to complete this daily task, it is easy for the original meaning of the relationship to fade. 

Many studies find that people who are unable to form strong relationships in their youth lack development of essential emotional, social, and professional skills. This, in turn, can have a significant effect on one's level of achievement and ability to succeed throughout their life. 

Snapstreaks transform genuine connection into a performative chore, prioritizing digital consistency over the emotional depth required for resilient adult relationships. This shift suggests a future where social success is measured by obligation rather than intimacy, potentially leaving a generation less equipped for the nuanced collaborations of the professional world. Ultimately, streaks signify a move toward transactional friendship, where the fear of losing a digital symbol outweighs the value of the bond itself. Next time you see that hourglass flickering, will you send a mindless photo to save the fire, or let it expire to make room for a real conversation?