In 2015, Snapchat introduced a new feature called streaks, and the world has not been the same since. Thanks to streaks, people have become more addicted to their phones, now not being able to go one day without them.

For those clueless few (or perhaps those few who are wise enough to stay off of social media), a streak is the number of days that you and a friend consecutively snapchat each other.

The number next to the name shows how many days you have snapchatted and is represented with the fire emoji. It started as a fun way to keep track of snaps with friends, but it has turned into a never-ending snap streak competition.

Streaks are truly annoying since they require daily attention; if you don’t reply within a day, the streak breaks. When that happens, many people get annoyed since their “accomplishment” is gone.

I have unfortunately fallen into the trap of Snapchat streaks. I have streaks with at least twenty different people; some have reached over a year.

At least half the snapchats I receive are pointless with the majority being a picture of the floor or just a black screen, but I still have to reply. The pressure of keeping a streak alive can cause people to send pointless snapchats purely for the number.

Snapchat streaks are difficult to end since it can cause conflict among snappers. If a streak is broken it can symbolize that you no longer want to talk to that person. Last time I checked, Snapchat is not the only way to communicate with other people.

The worst part of Snapchat streaks is the people that send out a mass snapchat with the word “streak” written across it. Not only is it impossible for me to break if I wanted to, but now I feel unimportant.

Sending the same snapchat to a list of people just to keep a number alive or to brag about the length of a streak is stupid.

Snapchat should be used to have a conversation and send funny pictures to your friends. Many of these people will respond within seconds proving that streaks add an addiction to cell phones.

I try my best to make sure I reply to everyone at minimum once a day with a personalized snapchat. However, when I open Snapchat to reply and check stories, time flies by and I have wasted an hour on my phone.

Although keeping a streak is a way of staying in contact with someone you rarely see, I don’t think that sending a picture of the corner of your forehead is a way of keeping in contact. Texting is a better way of keeping up on someone’s life.

Keeping a Snapchat streak alive gives a feeling of accomplishment. However, there are other ways to feel successful: Going on a run, reading a book, and even running an errand can be a similar victory.

To the people that send a mass snapchat saying “streak”: stop it. Try to holding a conversation with someone instead of adding to the addiction.