When you think of social media, especially photo sharing apps like Instagram, you think of people showing off only the best parts of their lives, with a perfectly curated caption and the occasional filter.
BeReal, the new must-have social media app, throws all of that out of the window and that’s why it’s so popular. Like Instagram and Facebook, it’s a photo sharing app where you can add your friends. However, on BeReal there is no room for filters, editing, or even picking the best selfie from hundreds. You have one chance and that’s it (no exaggeration).
Every day, users with the app will get a random notification at any given moment, telling them it’s “time to BeReal”. They then have a two-minute time window to snap a picture of whatever they’re doing, both front and back camera so you can see your friend’s face along with what’s going on around them.
The need for honesty
It’s quickly becoming Gen-Z’s favourite platform and young people are calling it the saviour of social media. It taps into the need for spontaneous and raw photo sharing. Times are changing, and presenting a perfect life just isn’t trendy anymore. With Instagram trends such as ‘photo dumps’ taking over, there’s a new want for reality and honesty within social media and BeReal has definitely filled that gap.
The actuality of life is that people aren’t always doing exciting things, surrounded by others. 80% of my BeReal’s are just me sat in my living room watching TV, or in the library doing work.
It’s problems
Some people don’t use the app the way it was intended and there are always going to be those that ignore the notification and post late when they’re doing something interesting. But come on, that defeats the point.
Like any social media app, it can still make you feel bad and lead to comparison. BeReal shows off the more personal moments of our lives and, if someone looks like their offline life is better than yours, without all of the editing and composing, this can be just as damaging as Instagram.
Growing popularity
According to apptopia, its downloads have grown by 315%, and it’s set to keep growing. Whether it will become a staple app, or die off like most trends do, no-one knows.