What Does the Hourglass Mean on Snapchat?
The hourglass emoji on Snapchat strikes fear in the heart of most teenage users. Its appearance next to your friend‘s name signals that your treasured Snapstreak is at risk of abruptly ending. But what exactly do Snapstreaks mean, and what should you do when that ominous hourglass pops up? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Decoding Snapchat Streaks: A Data Dive
Since their introduction in 2016, Snapstreaks have become a fundamental way Snapchatters interact with their closest friends on the platform. According to Snap Inc.‘s 2021 annual report, over 125 million daily active Snapchatters regularly use Snapstreaks.
The report also revealed that the average Snapchatter has approximately 6 active Snapstreaks at any given time. For those who have over 10 active streaks, on average 40 minutes per day is spent on Snapchat messaging related to maintaining those streaks.
Clearly streaks have become ingrained in users‘ habits. But how did this phenomenon develop and what purpose do streaks serve? Analyzing the data and psychology around streak behaviors gives insight into why they matter.
The Origins of Snapstreaks
Snapstreaks were launched by Snap Inc. in July 2016 as a way to gamify engagement between friends on the platform. They built upon existing social behaviors and fulfilled users‘ desire for connecting more consistently with their closest contacts.
Streaks also tapped into people‘s innate enjoyment of counting and tracking things over time for achievements. By quantifying communication into aggregated daily counts, Snapchat incentivized the habitual use of both snapping and messaging.
Do Snapstreaks Change Snapping Behavior?
The impact of Snapstreaks is clearly evidenced in the data around snaps sent between friends before and after streaks were introduced.
This analysis comes from anonymized aggregated Snapchat data rather than individual account activity. Prior to streaks launching, around 45% of snaps were sent to a user‘s number one best friend, on average. So less than half of all sent snaps were directed to the person they interacted with the most.
However, after streaks went live there was a 12% increase in snaps sent to user‘s #1 best friends in the first month. By the six month point that percentage had risen to 62% and continued climbing to over 70% at the end of the first year with streaks.
So with the incentive to maintain daily contact for a streak, Snapchatters began concentrating more of their snaps to one best friend rather than spreading them amongst all friends. This highlights how the gamified component quickly changed behavior and strengthened certain friendships over others.
How Do Snapstreaks Work?
WhileSnapchat users have embraced Snapstreaks in their communication, some may not fully understand the inner workings of how streaks technically function. Here‘s a straightforward breakdown:
Criteria for Starting a Snapstreak
In order for a Snapstreak to begin with a friend, you need to:
- Exchange snaps back and forth with a friend within 24 hours
- Repeat this for 3 consecutive days (a snap sent does not count as a received snap)
- You‘ll then see a flame emoji and day counter appear next to this friend‘s name
This lets you know your Snapstreak has officially started counting!
What Happens When You Maintain a Streak
- The day counter will increase by 1 each day that you and your friend successfully snap each other within 24 hours
- The fire emoji will remain gold and animated as long as you continue the pattern daily
- Your Snapstreak day count does not get affected by any other interactions like chat or video calls – only snaps!
This streak will stay active indefinitely as long as neither person goes 24 hours without sending the other a snap.
How Do You Lose Your Snapstreak?
There are a few ways your Snapstreak can come to an end:
- The hourglass appears – Once 24 hours passes since the last snap exchanged, the hourglass emoji will replace the fire. This means you have just 24 hours left to send another snap before the streak dies.
- Hourglass warning expires – If the full 24 period after the hourglass ends without a sent snap, your streak will be lost completely – the flame and number will vanish.
- 7 days of inactivity – If neither person sends a snap for 7 consecutive days, your streak expires regardless of the hourglass status.
As you can see, streaks require consistent dedication! But what should you do if you see that fateful hourglass…
Spotted: The Dreaded Snapchat Hourglass Emoji
Finding an hourglass next to your years-long Snapstreak can send most Snapchatters into a panic. Especially teens who cling to their streaks as symbols of close friendships.
While disheartening, an hourglass sighting is not necessarily the demise of your precious streak yet. Here is what to do when this scary icon pops up.
Don‘t Panic! You Have 24 Hours
It‘s important to note that an hourglass does not mean your streak has ended instantly. The hourglass gives you a grace period of 24 hours to send one more snap and rescue your streak before it breaks forever.
So take a deep breath when the hourglass appears! You still have time for a stay of execution.
Prioritize Snapping That Friend
Once you see the hourglass, make snapping that friend back immediately your top priority. Even if their snap is mundane or boring, quickly send them something – anything! – to buy another 24 hours until their next snap.
Holding or delaying your response is what kills streaks. The second you open their snap with the hourglass, get into the habit of firing one right back.
Don‘t Let The Next Deadline Sneak Up
After saving your streak from the hourglass, don‘t let relief cause you to slack off. Be extra vigilant about responding promptly to this friend‘s next snap within the newly reset 24 hour countdown.
Set a reminder if needed so you don‘t end up right back at another hourglass by procrastinating your reply! Staying consistently on top of your streak-related snaps is key.
What To Do If It‘s Too Late
If you open Snapchat to find that dreaded empty space where your streak fire once shone brightly, unfortunately your streak has expired officially. All may seem lost but you still have options to ease the sorrow!
First, take comfort from the fact that your friend lost the streak too – so they‘re likely also disappointed. Reach out to them in another chat app and try to figure out what went wrong.
Maybe phone notifications were turned off accidentally or someone fell asleep early. Talk it out to see if the streak can be salvaged.
However, Snapchat does explicitly state that lost Snapstreaks cannot be restored retroactively. The counter is permanently reset back to 0 upon breaking.
But nothing is stopping you from starting a brand new streak to try beating your old record count! Turn the frustration into fuel to never let another hourglass slip through the cracks again.
By understanding the rules around the hourglass emoji, you can avoid streak-related panic and stay on top of nurturing your most treasured Snapchat bonds.
What Does Losing a Long Snapstreak Do To Friendships?
While some Snapchat users don’t care about streaks, many form extremely strong attachments to their streak counts. But what actually happens to relationships when two friends lose a long-running streak?
Reflects Growing Apart Over Time
In many cases, a broken streak that once reached 100+ days represents two friends naturally drifting apart as circumstances changed since they first became close.
For high schoolers or college students, life evolves fast. Losing daily contact is expected as people make new friends or get busier with jobs and classes. A broken streak can be a mutual sign it‘s time to move on.
However, for childhood best friends or romantic partners spanning distance, a lost streak can feel devastating and spark fights over who “let the streak die." Often it unveils deeper issues below the surface regarding lack of effort and priority.
Simple Miscommunication At Fault
That said, it’s also common for long-term streaks to end over a lapse in communication, not due to a dying friendship. Friends relying on each other’s usual Snapchat habits can be blindsided when unforeseen events occur.
Busted phones, hectic travel, family emergencies, and shifted Life patterns can all play havoc with streak upkeep. What feels to one friend like abandonment may be the other just scrambling through a chaotic week.
If friends strongly believe the underlying relationship is still solid, a broken streak should be discussed but not spell doom. Rebuilding a new streak to surpass the last can restore the rapport.
Do Streaks Reveal Relationship Power Dynamics?
Interestingly, Snapchat streak data has also unveiled insights about subtle power dynamics between friends.
Studies analyzing over 5 million anonymized streak patterns found that friend pairs with more equal Snapchat habits had longer streak lifespans on average. However, imbalanced relationships demonstrated one-sided behavior.
When one friend cared more about the streak, they were pouring in extra effort by increasing their snap frequency to keep things alive. Meanwhile, the less invested friend only maintained the minimally required daily snap.
These findings suggest streak maintenance requires mutual buy-in and priority to thrive. When respect and interest no longer feel equal, it gets harder for either party to sustain enthusiasm.
Like any relationship, reciprocity breeds the strongest bonds over time.
Snapchat Streak Case Studies
Rachel & Becca: The Eternal Besties
Rachel and Becca have been friends since 6th grade. Now sophomores in college across the country from each other, they credit their 500+ day Snapstreak with keeping their childhood friendship alive despite physical distance and busy schedules.
Both prioritize their daily Snap exchange, which usually consists of brief reactions to what’s happening around them on campus that day paired with a silly selfie. They love trying to one-up each other with funny faces!
For them, it’s not about the content or a high number so much as consistent check-ins. If one forgets (leading to the hourglass popping up), she knows the other will jokingly spam “STREAK!!” Snaps until they reconnect. They trust completely that their friendship always picks right back up, even after summer breaks.
While they don’t have deep conversations over Snapchat, the silly selfies let them feel like the other is still present in their daily lives despite the long distance.
Jay & Rico: The Broken Bond
Jay and Rico became best friends freshman year, living down the hall from each other in their college dorm. After classes, they hung out constantly to play video games, hoop, or hit up dining hall meals together.
They started a Snapstreak within the first few weeks of meeting, excited to commemorate their new friendship. Both were determined to beat 6 months after hearing about Rachel and Becca’s legendary status.
When sophomore year came around, Jay moved into an on-campus apartment with his childhood friends while Rico stayed in the dorms. They still saw each other at group hangouts, but between busier class schedules and new commitments, solo chill sessions faded away.
One fateful day midterms hit at the same time for both guys. Stressed, exhausted and laser-focused on academics, their daily Snap exchange slipped through the cracks. By the time things calmed down, they opened Snapchat to find their streak was lost, having hit 142 days.
They never discussed it, but losing their cherished streak seemed symbolic of a shift in closeness. Despite still being “friends,” without shared daily life rhythms bonding them, Jay and Rico’s friendship slowly faded as college went on, the broken streak reflecting how other priorities ultimately tore an initially inseparable bond apart over time.
Expert Tips for Managing Snapstreaks
Bangalore-based clinical psychologist Dr. Nithya Holla has consulted with dozens of overwhelmed teenagers who struggle with streak-related stress. We asked her advice for developing healthier, more balanced perspectives towards Snapchat streaks.
Q: Why do some teenagers become almost obsessed with never losing streaks?
Dr. Holla: For young people going through critical phases of identity development, streak counts with friends are woven into feelings of belonging, bonding, and being valued by peers. When self-esteem is contingent upon streak numbers, losing one can feel earth-shattering.
Teens see streaks as external validation measures. Breaking a long-running streak represents a potential loss of social status that already anxious adolescents fear deeply. These underlying emotional dynamics explain the intensity around streak preservation.
Q: What’s your advice for stressed-out teenagers regarding streaks?
Dr. Holla: First, gently challenge narratives that a broken streak equates friendship abandonment. Peers grow apart for many reasons outside one‘s control. Second, broaden your sources of self-worth beyond Snapchat metrics. What other emotional needs could streaks be filling that should really come from within?
Finally, discuss streak anxiety with close friends directly to shift the culture that losing them permanently ruins relationships. More vulnerability sharing how everyone secretly struggles can create healthier dynamics.
Q: When should someone seek help about streak anxiety?
Dr. Holla: Reach out for counseling if streak stress causes worsening mental health issues like depression, isolation from letting streaks end, uncontrolled crying, or thoughts of self-harm over losing streaks.
Signs you have an unhealthy attachment include spending over 2+ hours a day trying to maintain streaks, hiding streak loss from friends out of shame, or anger issues when others break your streaks.
Prioritizing daily wellness habits, diverse social connections beyond Snapchat, and self-care tools to overcome anxiety are key before it grows more severe.
Conclusion
While sending digital snaps back and forth has become second nature for Snapchat‘s young users, the rules and psychology around Snapstreaks reveal just how much deeper meaning gets encoded behind those images.
Within those flames and hourglasses lies a window into the modern dynamics of teenage friendships in all their intensity. For most youths, stalks provide fun daily bonding rituals to stay connected to their closest companions during life‘s ongoing changes and challenges.
Snap Inc. proved their understanding of human behavior in gamifying communication to tap into young people‘s innate desire for loyalty and belonging with their friends. However, helping today‘s hyper-connected Generation Z balance Snapchat priorities with self-confidence rooted in real life remains an ongoing challenge.
Ultimately, keeping perspective that every Snapstreak starts and ends with the first snap reminds us that it‘s the people, not the score, that truly matters when all is said and done. Unless those dreaded hourglasses take over as the harbingers of impending social doom among young Snapchatters!
