Will Snapchat now become a thing of the past? It's possible, given that Instagram -- the online photo sharing app that's a smash amongst the social media intelligensia -- has now introduced their InstaDM option.

According to TechCrunch, today at a press event in New York, Instagram founder Kevin Systrom has announced that the photo-sharing service is introducing private photo-sharing and messaging. The feature is called Instagram Direct.

Instagram has always been a mostly public social network, with a broadcast structure instead of connections based on mutual friendship, like Facebook. The introduction of Instagram Direct marks a new phase for the company.

Now, users who follow each other will be able to send each other private chat-like messages, which can include photos or videos (of course). Previously, users have only been able to like or publicly comment on pictures.

And, according to The Los Angeles Times, this move is the latest move by Instagram to dominate the social media market, and it takes direct aim at SnapChat, the popular Los Angeles start-up that lets users message each other privately with photos and videos that disappear within seconds.

Facebook has twice tried to acquire Snapchat -- it reportedly offered $3 billion in the last attempt. With more and more users flocking to apps that let them message privately, rather than broadcast their lives, Snapchat and others pose a threat to Facebook. That may explain why Facebook has decided to add Instagram Direct.

Twitter also entered the private photo messaging market this week, adding the ability to send photos through Direct Message, Twitter's version of private messaging.

Check out the video of Instagram Direct below. Will you be using Instagram Direct?