ANIMALIA – Influencers
Do influencers always have good influence on children? Find out in the new episode of "Animalia", educational, interactive, animated series about child safety on the internet.
You might have heard about the new photo-sharing app “BeReal.” But you may be asking yourself, what is it? And is it safe for my kids?
BeReal is an app that claims to promote authenticity. The premise is that traditional social media don´t provide the real picture, but rather a curated and altered version of one’s life. BeReal´s mission is to show the real, unedited lives of regular people. And it had gained success and popularity, especially amongst young people and teenagers, ranking as the no. 1 app on Apple’s App Store.
It almost feels like a game, which is why it´s so addictive. It´s a simple app, where you share photos of yourself and your surroundings at various times of the day. The app sends you a notification and gives you two minutes to snap a photo. It then takes a photo with your front and back camera, to showcase who and where you are. Mind you, there are no filters on the app. Only after you post your contribution can you see other people’s photos for that day. Some photos you can share privately, with only your friends, and others you can allow to be seen on the Discover page for anyone to view.
Authenticity? Yes, please!
One really good thing about BeReal seems to be the fact that users don´t have enough time to curate their photos. They simply snap and post. It seems to encourage authenticity and provide less opportunity to edit and showcase a perfect life. This is great for one’s mental health, especially for teenagers and kids using the app. It gives less opportunity for them to see unrealistic beauty standards and perfect lives that aren´t even real.
It is also a great experience for them to share with their friends. They can all share their photos and thoughts on the app and thus keep track of each other. This can be a way for kids to socialize with their friends even when they are physically not with them.
Is it all just an act?
However, nothing online comes without its risks. The two-minute window that the app gives users to take a photo and post it, on one hand, does promote authenticity, but on the other might create unnecessary pressure and anxiety for kids. It can make them feel that they need to be in top shape and always perform because you never know when the notification will come. However, since there is no way to become famous since the app doesn´t allow for likes and follows, it takes off the pressure to be liked online. Or at least that is the intent.
Always-on culture for kids?
You have heard of always-on culture when it comes to working folks. Well, this app creates a similar effect for kids, creating the need to have their devices with them and always on, because you never know when you might be asked to take your photo of the day. Plus, when the alert arises, people on the app are encouraged to drop everything and focus on the app. This might distract kids from their everyday activities and even real-life experiences.
Privacy, safety and oversharing?
Well, BeReal does not allow advertising, so it is not yet a monetized app. This is a great thing because it doesn´t expose your kids to unnecessary amounts of information and doesn’t push anything on them. However, since it is a social media app, it is open to certain privacy risks. For one, anyone could find you, meaning strangers are able to find your kids if they choose to post their photo on the Discover page. Some even use their general location. Parents and kids need to be aware that BeReal shares your location by default. The best advice is to turn it off in your device´s settings.
Unfortunately, due to the simplicity of the app, there are currently no parental controls available.
How can you talk to your kids about these BeReal issues?
- Your kid can see anyone’s post - Talk to your kids about privacy and why certain information should not be made public. Show them how they can share pictures only with their friends and not on the Discover page. They should only share their photos with people they know in real life.
- The pressure to post - Talk to your kids about the importance of offline experiences and that online is not always real, even if it feels that way. Make sure they don´t see their value in how much they post and what the reactions of others are.
- Authentic or curated? - Explain to your kids that even though something feels real and authentic, it may not always be that and that not all moments are perfect. It is okay to not wear perfect clothes and not have our food look like it’s from a magazine.
The bottom line is that BeReal proves to be a popular alternative to traditional social media amongst the young. It seems to be safer than other apps, but your kids still need to be monitored, especially when it comes to people who might contact them. Kids are known to sometimes share too much with people they know too little, which might pose a privacy and security risk. However, as always, kids cannot be hidden from technological progress. It is up to us, the adults, parents, and educators, to make sure they learn how to use it safely and responsibly. Download the app, try it for yourself and then make an informed decision and guide your kids. We have. 😊 And trust us, it is more fun than you might think.