Social Network

Snapchat

Ephemeral messaging and streaks for adolescents.

Multimedia messaging app owned by Snap Inc. The Snapstreak mechanic and ephemeral content design drive habitual checking behaviour, especially among adolescents.

Documented Cognitive Harm Footprint

33

Harm Footprint

Documented

A 2023 longitudinal study from UNC-Chapel Hill found that habitual checking of platforms including Snapchat may be associated with adolescent brains becoming hypersensitive to social feedback from peers — a measurable neurodevelopmental change.

Harm Count
10 / 40
Severity
8 / 35
Reach
10 / 22
Mechanism
5 / 5

View on Graph → All Platforms

Documented Harms (2)

Altered Adolescent Brain Development

2023 adolescents

Longitudinal neuroimaging found measurable changes in adolescent brain development tied to habitual platform checking.

Source: 2023 UNC-Chapel Hill longitudinal study on adolescent brain development

Hypersensitivity to Peer Feedback

2023 adolescents

Habitual checking is associated with adolescents' brains becoming hypersensitive to social feedback from peers.

Source: 2023 UNC-Chapel Hill longitudinal study on adolescent brain development