I have a love hate relationship with Snapchat. I love how easy it is to snap a funny picture but I hate how obsessed with it everyone is. For those who have ever tried to hold an actual conversation over Snapchat, you understand my struggles.

1. 10 seconds is not enough to say something

The top amount of seconds allotted is 10. However 10 seconds normally is an okay length of time, but for Snapchat, it feels like it lasted two seconds. If you send a video, the recipient often can’t get it all. Even worse is when you write a bunch and the other person physically cannot read that fast.

2. You forget what you said

You send a Snapchat and then it takes the recipient an hour or so to respond and they just casually continue the conversation like they didn’t just take forever. Then most of the time you literally just sit there and have no idea what you said and have to ask what they’re talking about.

3. The filters are distracting

I can’t tell you how many times someone has sent me a Snapchat with a filter on it, and I — with my tiny attention span — I forget to read what he or she wrote. Then I either have to replay it or tell them I didn’t see the words. Either way it’s embarrassing to do that, so I normally just send a smile.

4. These pictures become blackmail from one screenshot

My advice to everyone is don’t send your friends anything you don’t want put in Facebook or your mom’s fridge.

5. You honestly can’t trust to open any Snapchats in public

I’ve just started to pray that this Snapchat I’m about to open is PG rated at all times. I hope that I’m not the only one that looks down at my phone sees who it is and kindly walks away from the general population to open it just in case.

6. Videos are often worse

I love my friends, but there are certain ones I know better than to open in public because it could vary from a video of their baby on a swing to them hardcore rapping R. Kelly’s “Ignition.” At least with videos before hand you can turn down the volume to prevent any mishaps.

7. You can type back and forth, but at that point just get their phone number

There is a function that allows you to send a message someone. It works similar to the photos in the sense that it disappears after you see it, if you don’t save it. If you save it, Snapchat notifies the sender you saved it or screenshotted it. It would be a million times better for both parties if you just work up the courage to ask for the phone number and text instead.

8. Depending on the person receiving, you have to try to look good

I’m guilty of it too, that cute boy finds your Snapchat and y’all go back and forth and soon you catch yourself trying to look good only for Snapchat. There is no reason you should feel pressured to have to look good for anyone besides yourself. I hope that no one puts on a full face of makeup to send a Snapchat to a crush.

9. Sometimes the filters make you appear uglier for amusement

In my experience, the reality is they’re laughing at how ugly you look. And no one deserves to be treated or thought of that way. So just be careful who you send that selfie with 12 chins to.

10. People use these conversations to flirt

I guess I missed the memo, but someone please reach out and let me know how the dog filter is flirting. Did I miss the memo and that’s the key to me getting a boyfriend tomorrow? Should I only use that filter until it becomes obsolete? I didn’t think so, far be it from me if you use Snapchat as a tool to talk to your crush but I sincerely hope that you have some good game to make this app work in your favor.

11. We have come to the conclusion that if he Snapchats you, it means he might like you

I feel like this is similar to what girls are taught at a young age. The idea of boys are mean to you when they like you. Once it was if he calls you, then it became if he texts you, now somehow it has evolved into if he Snapchats you a few times he might like you. Now I’m no relationship expert, but I would think if he likes you he might do all three.

12. It often pressures you into taking pictures or doing things you don’t want to do

This was Snapchat’s sole invention and sometimes you may feel that if you don’t send them that the other person will stop liking you. Well guess what, if they stop liking you because you stand up for yourself good riddance. You don’t need that kind of pressure and negativity in a relationship. Don’t ever feel bad about standing up for yourself.

I guess what I’m trying to say is snap with caution, stand up for yourself, and don’t take 15 years to Snapchat someone back.