BeReal! Is this “Authentic” Social Media App Safe for Teens?

The social media landscape for kids and teens is a constantly changing. Just when you get a handle on TikTok or Instagram, a new app pops up. One that has made significant waves in recent years is BeReal.  Unlike its perfectly polished predecessors, BeReal champions authenticity and spontaneity.

But what exactly is it, and more importantly, is it safe for teens?  Like most social media apps, children under 13 are not allowed to sign up for BeReal.

For teens from 13 to 17 years old, parental consent is required.  This is not common for most other social media apps..

Let’s Get Real! What is BeReal?

Imagine a social media app that demands you drop everything and share your unfiltered life, right at this moment.  In a nutshell, that’s BeReal.  This gives the platform unique appeal.  Additionally, it’s not designed for long term daily use.

Here’s a quick point form overview to bring parents up-to-speed of how it works.

• One Notification a Day: At a random, unpredictable time each day, everyone on BeReal receives a notification: “Time to BeReal.”

• Two Minutes to Share: Users then have exactly two minutes to take a photo.

• Dual Camera Snap: The app simultaneously uses both your front-facing and back-facing cameras. This means you capture your selfie and what’s in front of you, creating a truly authentic snapshot of your current surroundings and reaction.

• No Filters, No Edits: There are no filters, no editing tools, and no retakes. What you snap is what you share.

• Temporary Content: Every post is deleted from the main feed after 24 hours (or when the next notification goes off). While the user can see their own past posts in a private “Memories” archive, they vanish for everyone else, keeping the focus on the “now.”

• See to Share: You can’t see your friends’ BeReals until you post your own for the day. This encourages participation and reduces passive consumption.

• RealMojis and Comments: Instead of traditional “likes,” users react with “RealMojis” – selfies of their own faces reacting to a friend’s post. Friends can also leave short comments.

• Discovery (Optional and Potential Dangerous): There’s a “Discovery” feed where users can see posts from strangers around the world.  While his is optional and can be managed, parental supervision is vital.

The entire concept is a direct reaction to the highly curated and often misleading content found on apps like Instagram, aiming to foster a more genuine connection among friends.

Is BeReal Safe for Younger Teens?

Like any social media platform, BeReal comes with its own set of pros and cons regarding safety.

The Potential Benefits of BeReal

While social media is often criticized for its impact on youth, BeReal offers several unique advantages by prioritizing genuine connection over curated perfection.

Emphasis on Authenticity

This is BeReal’s biggest selling point. It encourages teens to embrace who they are without the pressure to look perfect, use filters, or stage elaborate photos. This can be a refreshing antidote to the self-esteem issues often fueled by other apps.

Less Time Consuming

Because there’s only one posting window a day and no endless scrolling of a curated feed, teens tend to spend significantly less time on BeReal compared to TikTok or Instagram. The average daily use is often less than 10 minutes.

Smaller, Closer Circles

Most teens use BeReal primarily with their close friends rather than trying to gain a large following of strangers. This makes the interactions feel more personal and less about public validation.

No Public “Likes” or Follower Counts

The absence of public “likes” and follower metrics reduces the competitive pressure and anxiety often associated with other platforms. Reactions are personal (RealMojis) rather than public popularity contests.

Limited Opportunity for Cyberbullying

The fast-paced, unedited nature, and focus on small friend groups, means there’s less opportunity for prolonged public shaming or extensive cyberbullying campaigns compared to platforms with public comment sections and viral shares.

The Downsides of BeReal to Be Aware Of

Despite its focus on authenticity, BeReal is not without its challenges, as several features and safety gaps present unique risks for younger users.”

Lack of Robust Parental Controls

Unlike platforms like Messenger Kids, Zigazoo, or Instagram and Threads, BeReal does not offer built-in parental control features or options for parents to monitor activity.

Location Sharing

BeReal allows users to share their location (either broadly or precisely) with their friends. While this can be turned off, many teens enable it, which can pose a privacy risk.

Unpredictable Timing

The random “Time to BeReal” notification means teens might be prompted to post when they are in inappropriate or private settings (e.g., in class, at home in pajamas, or in a sensitive location).

Potential for Inappropriate Content (Accidental or Intentional)

While the app itself doesn’t promote inappropriate content, a teen might accidentally capture something revealing in their background, or a friend might post something unsuitable in their own BeReal that your child sees.

Pressure to Share

Despite its “anti-perfection” ethos, there can still be a subtle pressure to participate daily so as not to miss out on seeing friends’ posts.

“Discovery” Feed

The optional “Discovery” feed allows users to see posts from strangers. While not the primary focus of the app, it does open up interactions beyond known friends.

Our Verdict for Parents:

With its focus on authenticity and reduced daily usage, BeReal can be a refreshing change in the social media landscape. For older teens (15+) who are digitally savvy and have a strong understanding of online privacy, and a close-knit group of friends, it can be a relatively low-stress way to stay connected.

However, for younger teens (13-14) or any child, parents should exercise significant caution. The lack of robust parental controls, the location sharing feature, and the unpredictable nature of posts make it a platform that requires open communication and supervision. Some reviews report a high risk for the sharing of explicit content.

Before allowing your young teen on BeReal, consider these steps:

• Discuss the App’s Features: This is especially important for location sharing and the “Discovery” feed.

• Set Privacy Settings Together: Ensure location sharing is turned off or limited to only “Friends.” Discuss whether the “Discovery” feed should be used at all.

• Talk About Boundaries: Discuss what is and isn’t appropriate to share, regardless of the prompt.

• Review Friend Lists: Encourage your teen to only add people they know and trust in real life.

• Model Good Digital Citizenship: Show them how you use technology responsibly.

Ultimately, BeReal offers a glimpse into a more genuine side of social media. With proper guidance and continual check-ins between parent and child, it can be a positive experience for some teens.

The bottom line is this.  Like all online platforms, parental awareness and involvement are just as important as with any other app.