Snapchat

Snapchat launched in 2011 as a mobile-first experiment by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown to solve the anxiety of permanent digital records. Users send Snap photos or videos that vanish after viewing, creating a low-pressure space for casual conversation. The platform quickly expanded beyond direct messaging to include Stories, a chronological feed of content available for 24 hours, and Discover, which brings curated short-form media from publishers and brands into the app. While the core mechanic relies on ephemerality, users can also save specific memories to a password-protected vault known as My Eyes Only. The app leans heavily on augmented reality lenses and virtual stickers, allowing people to interact with digital objects overlaid on their real-world camera feeds.[edit]