Is the app BeReal safe for kids?
There’s an app trending with teens called “Be Real” that we should talk about.
The whole point of BeReal is to be real once a day with your online friends by showing them exactly what you’re doing at one moment in time. Be Real has no filters and no editing tools.
It’s the opposite of the apps that encourage you to spend time perfecting your settings or your selfie. No careful curation of your “image” or “brand” and no worries if you’re doing something “boring” - most of us are, if you pop in randomly once a day!
Here’s how it works: BeReal sends the whole world a notification that it’s time to post once a day, randomly. You have two minutes to post two photos - one from your front camera to see where you are and one selfie to see what you look like or your facial expression.
Once you post, you can see all your friends’ posts that day and have a chance to comment or send a selfie shot reaction back - your face is the emoji! No generic thumbs up or hearts here.
If you miss a day or are late posting, it’s no big deal. You’re not “breaking a streak” like you will in Snapchat because BeReal isn’t counting. You can post late, but your friends will get a notification that you were late.
This app is designed to let you connect with friends briefly every day, authentically, then get off the app until tomorrow.
Risks for kids with the app BeReal
There are some risks inherent with using any social media that parents need to address with teens using Be Real.
Location is ON by default. If the account is private, your child’s friends can see their location. Worse, if your child’s account is set to PUBLIC, anyone can see their location. You do not want strangers being able to locate your child. Here’s how to change the location for Android and Apple phones.
Public vs private. Make sure your child’s account is private and they’re only adding friends they actually know.
That two minute window to post - does your child know what’s appropriate to post and what’s not? This may seem like common sense but I’ll bet you that your child has different ideas on what’s safe and appropriate to post than you do. If they’re in the bathroom, changing clothes, in their PJs in bed, at a funeral, in class - they shouldn’t be posting! Have a chat about the locations and settings that ARE okay to post in and those that should wait and delay posting, so they understand your concerns.
Age ratings for Be Real:
Google play rates this app for Teens
Apple store rates this for 12+
Our thoughts on BeReal for teens
BeReal is less risky than many social media options and is healthier, from the standpoint of keeping posts low pressure and authentic. Kids should be at least 13 years old to use it and you should chat about the risks (above) before they download it and then monitor their posts to know what they’re doing.
Director, Lisa Honold, spoke on KOAT’s morning news about the risks and benefits of teens using the BeReal app.
Parents should sit down and weigh the risks and benefits before making the decision with your teen as to whether or not this could be a good social media app to join.