Since its launch in 2011, Snapchat, the instant messaging app has had a fundamental raison d’être. The belief that definitely talking with photos, videos and those who are really friends was much more personal and fun than texting. Do you think the same?
And, despite its ups and downs, the application has been maintained and even evolved. Always having as a premise, that close friends can express themselves freely and promote creativity in company.
This is why, in times of crisis due to the coronavirus, Snapchat has shared a set of tools called: ‘Here for you’ or in English ‘here for you’. Its objective is to be able to help its users who have emotional or mental health problems. This was a launch that had to be brought forward due to circumstances.
Snapchat in times of coronavirus
With the new tool offered by Snapchat, whenever users search for information on topics related to anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, bullying or stress. The application will immediately provide you with information from local experts on the topic you are interested in.
In a press release, the company stated that:
“Here for you, offers in-app support for users who may be experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis. for those who are curious to learn more about these issues or how to help friends with these problems.”
And, although Snapchat first introduced the ‘Here for you’ tool in February. It had to bring forward its launch, in response to the situations that millions of people around the world are going through. This is due to the social isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, users also have the possibility to interact with the creative tools and lenses. These promote security and privacy, including new filters and the first Snappable questionnaire.
From Snapchat, they have assured that this new section will add all the information from organizations such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States and the World Health Organization (WHO).
But it is not the first time that social networks seek to help users with this type of ailment, as you should know that Facebook, for example, uses machine learning techniques to identify risk patterns among its users. That is, images or phrases alluding to suicide and they immediately receive resources to be able to communicate with an expert.
Social networks, you can save lives too!
