The Science of Getting to Know Someone through Electronic Communication. Not a likely major you will find at University, but as the technological world is so rapidly evolving with so many consumers enthusiastically accepting these changes, it might as well be.

Chances are that many students are victim of the “when I was your age we never had…” speech from their parents as they take a selfie or get caught texting when they should be going to sleep. The reality is, the social media scene isn’t just growing, it’s a race. A race to see what the consumers cannot get enough of.

But as the ways that one can use a cell phone evolve, so does our social culture. As apps incorporate more outlets of communication through pictures, voice audio, words and emojis, there appear to be new social traditions being made.

Are Snapchat and texting bringing us closer together, or widening the gap for those who do not have or use them?

Does the way we communicate with friends define the relationship we have with them, and does the method of communication we use depend on the comfort or personal level we have with that person?

For many students like sophomore Maryam Zahid, Snapchat is a very popular app used to communicate among peers.

“I use Snapchat more than texting. I think seeing each others face is more personal. You get to see their expressions, and with texting you just see words, or emojis,” Zahid said.

But to Zahid and many others, there are also certain instances where some conversation is more appropriate for certain places.

“If I like someone, I would rather get their number,” she said. “Snapchat is too up close and personal for that. It is easier to get to know someone on a deeper level through texting at first.”

The way we communicate with our peers is situational. For sophomore Sheetal George,  using solely words to communicate is a mere preference of comfort.

“I text more than I use Snapchat.  I don’t like taking pictures of myself, it’s just not a comfortable thing for me,” Sheetal said.

For junior Patrice Henry, an established friendship is a must in order for her to engage in Snapchat conversations.

“I will only let someone see my face if there is a higher comfort level between us,” Henry said. “Through Snapchat, I feel more free to do what I want to do. It doesn’t feel as permanent as a text might, and if I say something crazy there won’t be anything to reference back to.”

But what about that dreaded infamous screenshot notification? Is this transient feeling just a front? When Henry receives this notification, she says her attitude changes.

“If someone screenshots a picture I feel betrayed. I trusted them! If they keep doing that I won’t be as comfortable snapchatting them,” she said.

As for Snapchat Stories, an assortment of pictures and videos a user takes that are posted for all of a user’s contacts or selected contacts to see for a maximum of 24 hours, there is another guideline that junior Hope Opia generally abides by.

“On your story you have to be a lot more appropriate,” she said. “I mean, my cousin, and members of my church follow me and that would be awkward for them to see things I might show my close friends.”

For senior Victor Olufade, the idea of being able to see if someone has read Snapchats and knowing the recipient can see if he has viewed a picture presents a social pressure.

“If someone doesn’t respond back, I can’t help but think ‘Did I say the wrong thing?’”

Senior Maggie Yuan says that she prefers texting someone to establish a deeper connection.

“Texting is more life involved, you can say more, and look back at conversations, and plus I like knowing that I can read it and not feel pressured to respond right away,” Yuan said.

For Yuan, Snapchat is a less thoughtful form of communication. “When Snapchatting someone you’re interested in, it is not very serious, more casual,” she said. “Once you start texting, the relationship you have with them feels more real,” she said.

Even with hundreds of apps at the fingers of those with smartphones, the general consensus of many at Roosevelt HS holds that texting is a traditional method of communication, and will not become obsolete.