Let's face it, the second you read the words "Snapchat Hoe" in the title of this article, someone you know probably came to mind. Or, if you're like me, perhaps you recognize that such a term should really be used to describe yourself -- a self-identified Snapchat addict if you will. The social media platform, which now rivals Facebook with reports of around 7 billion video clips being viewed daily, is absolutely one of the most popular and easy to use picture and video messaging apps around, and the appeal of the platform is especially apparent in the "Generation Z" demographic. But, as was the case when Instagram helped popularize the "#Selfie" trend, many people have once again started to attack users of Snapchat for using the app a little too much. However, in light of the fact that both Instagram and Snapchat report having a higher population of female users than male ones (especially skewed in the case of Snapchat), perhaps such criticisms of how platforms like these are supposed to be used are rooted in something much deeper than simply a judgement of personal preference or taste.
Firstly, let's address what being a "Snapchat Hoe" even entails. Colloquially, a Snapchat Hoe is someone that posts a high number of videos and images on their snap story which is publicly viewable for 24 hours (if you have their username in your contacts list). These users frequently post snaps of their meals, the parties and the concerts they attend, and, naturally, an abundance of selfies--especially with the daily-changing filters Snapchat creates specifically for the purpose of taking them. The ever-reliable Urban Dictionary loosely defines this kind of user as a "Snapchattict," but the gendered implications of the term Snapchat Hoe harken back to other, similarly-intentioned monikers relating back to Instagram (such as the "Selfie Whore," or the "Instagram Whore"). Truthfully, you can be any gender and still be identified as a Snapchat Hoe, but the tendency to write off the legitimacy of anything associated primarily with teenage girls (such as romantic comedies, female gamers, and boy bands) is absolutely a factor in the policing of how both Instagram and Snapchat are used.
It's incredibly frustrating to see young girls and women being torn down for engaging in these practices and being ridiculed for it. In a world where messages saying "look like this," "eat this way and be happy," and "have this body to be beautiful" are a constant in the mainstream media, why is it so hard to simply allow people to post pictures and videos that make them feel good about themselves without chalking it up to seeking attention? Mocking the strides that some people take in reclaiming their idea of beauty and working to have a healthier, more confident understanding of their own bodies is absolutely detrimental in trying to shift the harmful attitudes about these ideals so prevalent in today's society--the same standards we are also told to purposefully fight against if we truly want to be empowered and independent. Clearly, there is no winning for girls in this hypocritical system of extreme judgement coupled with the pressure to love ourselves, and the contemptuous attitudes held towards those who actively enjoy selfies, Snapchat, and Instagram are a plain indication of this inescapable double standard.
But, for argument's sake, let's take gender out of the equation and return to the idea that critiquing the Snapchat Hoe is instead a commentary of how the platform itself is being used. The only problem with this argument is that there is no argument -- the platform is being used exactly as it is supposed to, with selfies (both with and without the built-in selfie filters) functioning as one of the main appeals of the app. And why shouldn't it be used in that way? Many argue that social media as a platform for sharing is inauthentic, in the sense that is it manufactured and highly selective in order to present only the best aspects of ourselves to the public. However, excluding some strategically-placed text over blemishes, or using one of the various filters to change the coloring, Snapchat doesn't allow for much doctoring of photos and videos which make the shared content somewhat "realer." Moreover, the popularity of the different selfie lenses available--many of which are intended to make the user look incredibly altered, usually leaning towards the silly/ugly deformations of the face for comedic effect--is arguably one of the most fun aspects of utilizing Snapchat for selfies, because a celebration of the weird (and, occasionally, the super not-cute) is inherently built into the sharing process.
Snapchat as a platform is one of the best ways to see a more accurate representation of the lives of friends and family, especially if they're on the other side of the country (or even the world). A few funny photos or short video clips showing what someone is doing, or who they're with, or something that makes them laugh, is, in my opinion, infinitely better than seeing a status update on Facebook or a Tweet about something I don't understand. It's a quick, easy way to tell someone you're thinking of them, or show them something that reminded you of them, and it's a great way to stay in touch with your friends with minimal effort involved. So go ahead, all you Snapchat Hoes, post away to your heart's content and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you're feeling yourself, then let the world know it however you want to do it. And, if you're one of those people who finds yourself looking down upon people that partake in the Snapchat Hoe lifestyle, here's an pretty groundbreaking idea: you could always, you know, not watch the longer snap stories that you're so annoyed by. That's always an option, too -- just saying.
