Ever opened Snapchat only to find an empty snap waiting for you in your inbox. You aren’t alone.This silent trend is sweeping the platform and many users are left scratching their heads in total confusion. While it appears to be a mistake, being sent a blank snap, often, it is a strategic move for many. In this guide, we will break down what does Blank snap really means, why do people use it as well as how you may send Blank snap yourself too.
What does a blank snap mean?
A blank snap on Snapchat generally refers to an empty or almost empty photo snap. Often its a completely black screen, a plain wall, or nothing at all with a caption or text on it.
While it may be confusing initially, usually there is a particular intent associated with a blank snap. It is not random.
To get an idea of what it can represent, here is a breakdown of what it could mean.
Intentional uses of blank snaps
Most users send a blank snap with a definite purpose in mind. It is often a low effort way of staying connected.
Maintaining snapstreaks
The most common reason why people send blank snaps is to keep streaks alive.
Snapstreaks require daily exchanges between friends in order to keep the fire emoji going. When somebody has nothing concrete to share, a blank snap does the job perfectly.
It’s a low effort way of maintaining your streak, without putting in too much force for content or creativity.
Many users develop this habit during busy days especially when they can’t create some meaningful content.
Subtle communication
Sometimes a blank snap means “I’m thinking of you” without the need of words and explanations. It’s a minimalist approach to connecting in our fast paced digital world.
Consider: You had a deep conversation with a friend yesterday about issues related to your personal struggles. The next morning they send to you a blank snap without any caption or context.
This isn’t laziness – it’s their way of checking-in without demanding a response. They’re saying “I’m here if you need me” and also without pressure on you.
The blank snap allows room for you to reach out for yourself if you want.
Testing the waters
People often send blank snaps when they want to start a conversation, but are uneasy about it. They’re not sure what to say in the first place or they don’t want to come across too strong.
The blank snap is an ice breaker and opens communication channels gently. It encourages the recipient to respond and start chatting naturally without being awkward.
Picture this, someone you met in a party last weekend added you on Snapchat. They desire to talk but they do not yet know your communication preferences.
Sending a blank snap is not as intimidating as sending a direct message or elaborate snap. If you respond, great – conversation starts to flow. If you don’t, they haven’t put much effort into it and they can move on.
Playful teasing
Between close friends blank snaps can be sent for entertainment, to relieve boredom or to confuse friends playfully. It can be a subtly stated joke or means of trolling without words.
This playfulness helps to strengthen social bonds through lighthearted interaction that does not need to have serious content.
However, this type of playful communication only works when both parties are aware of the dynamic.
When your best friend sends you three blank snapchat messages in succession. You have to know them well enough to identify this pattern as innocent mischief.
Unintentional blank snaps
Not every blank snap is a calculated move however. At other times, technology or mere human error is the culprit.
Accidental sends
Sometimes your fingers slip through the different features and buttons of the app. Or at times, the camera takes a picture of darkness or gets covered by your hand by accident. These totally unsought snaps occur more frequently than you might imagine particularly while multitasking.
You may simply be at the gym with your phone in your pocket. You’re moving around from exercise to exercise and your phone screen gets activated by a piece of fabric. Without knowing your leg pushes buttons and sends out snaps that are blank to several people.
Later, you go look at your phone and find confused reactions from friends. You have to explain that it was all a big accident, and apologize for the confusion.
Technical glitches
Occasionally, Snapchat has technical issues with image quality that occur during uploads. A photo is not able to process correctly because of poor internet connection. What you thought would be a regular snap arrives totally blank to the recipient.
In addition, poor lighting conditions can also produce unnaturally dark images which look blank.
You might take what seems good on your screen in the dimly lit room and send it quick. But, when your friend gets it, the image is totally black.
Use parental controls to know your teens digital activities.
How to send blank snap?
Sending blank snap is immensely easy when there know the right tricks. Whether you’re looking to keep a streak or simply want to ping then here are the most effective ways of doing so.
The classic “lens cover”
This is the most common method to make a blank snap and this can be done without any special tools.
1. Open snapchat and go to your camera screen.
2. Cover the camera lens of your phone with your finger (or palm) fully in order to obstruct all light.
3. Tap the big circle button and take the photo. The picture will be a pure black screen.
4. At the bottom right tap on the blue “Send To” arrow.
5. Choose out your friends or streak partners
6. Hit “Send” and your blank snap is delivered!
For an even “blanker” look, do not use captions at all. This counts up perfectly for streak!
Solid color fill using the drawing tool
For blank snap in any colour (i.e. white, black, or coloured without a print).
1. Open-up Snapchat camera and take any quick picture.
2. Chose the pencil icon (drawing tool) in the top right preview tool bar.
3. Select a color from the color palette.
4. Tap and hold onto the screen then drag to increase the size of the brush (pinch with 2 fingers if necessary)
5. Scribble or fill in with the color on the whole of the screen until it is solid and blank.
6. As usual send by tapping on the arrow.
You may make it any solid color – black for a traditional blank snap look, white for a “blank page” look.
Neutral background snap (subtle blank)
For a less evident “empty” feel other than the pure black.
1. Point your camera at a smooth surface – such as a white wall, ceiling or blank table.
2. Take the photo.
3. Skip adding any types of caption, sticker, edits.
4. Send as normal, as usual by tapping on the arrow.
This version of blank snap has a more natural and less “intentional” feeling than pure black.
How to respond to blank snap?
When you get a blank snap, your response is completely based on the relationship with the sender.
Since there is no text to guide you, you have the freedom of being creative or direct.
For close friends
If the blank snap is from a best friend, he or she is probably just keeping a streak alive.
1. Send one back. Mirroring their energy by sending a blank snap right back at them.
2. The “Streaks” text. Simply type “Streaks” on top of a dark photo in order to recognize the daily ritual.
3. A simple emoji. Send just one emoji such 🔥 or ✌️ without having a long conversation.
For a crush or new acquaintance
This is often a “ping” to find out if you are around. So use it as the excuse to have a real conversation.
1. Playful confusion. Send a message with the message, “Is your camera broken?”
2. The “What’s up?” approach. Respond in a casual way “Hey how is your day going?” to break the ice.
3. Share a reaction. Send a funny image, bitmoji, that looks confused or curious about the empty image
For casual contacts
If you have no idea as to why they sent a blank snap, keep your response at a minimum or disregard it.
1. Leave it on read. If you aren’t close then you don’t really owe them a response to an empty image.
2. The direct ask. Reply with text “did you mean to send that or was it a pocket snap?”
How to know your teen’s Snap status?
Understanding your teen’s snapchat habits may prove to be tricky given the speed at which messages disappear.
Even a simple blank snap can have you wondering in regard to their digital security. To stay informed, you can rely upon a combination of features, such as built-in ones and external tools.
Use Snapchat Family Center
Snapchat provides “Family Center” specifically for parents.
This program allows you to see who your teen is chatting with without having to read the actual private chats. It also offers a list of their friends and recent contacts during the past seven days.
But, in order to do this, you have to invite your teen to join the Family Center through your own Snapchat account.
It has the benefits of providing transparency while having due regard for your teen’s emerging independent life and personal space.
Advanced monitoring using FlashGet Kids.
For visibility further than is provided by Snapchat, you could as well consider a dedicated parental controls app such as FlashGet Kids. FlashGet Kids is available for iOS and Android, providing comprehensive coverage without requiring Snapchat’s opt-in.
Key FlashGet Kids features that facilitate Snapchat activity monitoring include;
- App notifications. Tracks all Snapchat notifications coming in, in real-time, including who’s messaging your teen and when. Great to identify frequent contacts or late-night activity.
- Screen mirroring. View your teen’s phone screen live including Snapchat chats, snaps and stories as they are happening.
- Alerts. Get instant notifications for suspicious activity, sensitive content detection on social apps (including Snapchat) or when limits are about to be reached.
- Daily usage. Detailed reports about Snapchat usage – such as patterns of usage, app opens and total screen time – to help spot excessive streaks or late night usage
FlashGet Kids fills in the gaps of indigenous tools and offers active warnings and insights on habit use to encourage healthy habits.
General privacy and safety recommendations
- Open communication. Talk about things happening online on a regular basis. Ask questions about streaks, friends, blank snaps etc (without accusing).
- Device-level checks. Built-in phone tools such as Apple’s Screen Time (iOS) or Google Family link (Android) can be used to limit Snapchat use time and daily usage.
- Spot signs indirectly. Notice mood changes, spend excessive time on the phone or keep a secret about the app
- Educate on risks. Teach about sexting, Cyberbullying and strangers. Snapchat’s fleeting nature can encourage risk-taking behavior.
Conclusion
A blank snap is certainly a lot more than nothing on your screen. We have walked through its many roles ranging from maintaining Streaks to simple accidental pocket dialing. Whether you are using the lens cover method or a solid color fill a blank snap is a fast method of keeping in touch.
For parents, knowing Snapchat habits and finding a way to curtail risky surfing through tools like FlashGet Kids is a way for parents to encourage digital behavior. In the end, Blank snap is never very mysterious, once you are aware of patterns behind it.
