In Taylor Lorenz’s article, “Snapchat Wants You to Post. It’s Willing to Pay Millions,” she talks about how Snapchat is trying to get more people to create content by introducing the Spotlight feature, which works like TikTok’s short videos. To encourage users to post, Snapchat is giving away over $1 million each day to those whose videos get popular. Some creators have made a lot of money through this program. For example, Cam Casey made nearly $3 million by posting viral videos, including one where a Coca-Cola bottle explodes. Another user, Katie Feeney, who is still in high school, earned more than $1 million in two months, giving her the chance to apply to colleges she couldn’t afford before. This initiative is part of Snapchat’s plan to stay relevant and competitive in the crowded social media world by offering financial incentives. The goal is to attract both influencers and regular users to post frequently, keeping the platform engaging and full of fresh content. Snapchat’s strategy shows how offering money has become an important way for social media platforms to keep users interested and active.
My experience with social media started off negatively when I was younger, as I faced bullying online, which made me feel insecure and isolated. Over time, though, I learned how to manage these challenges, and social media became a positive space for connecting with others and expressing myself. Now, I see it as a place for creativity and personal growth, much like how platforms like Snapchat aim to create positive experiences through community building and incentives.
