📱 2022-04-21 15:17:00 – Paris/France.
There's a new photo-sharing app — and it's not like other social media platforms.
We joined the app and talked to users to better understand how BeReal works and what you need to know about it.
BeReal is a social media application that encourages users to share a slice of their life in real time. It was launched in early 2020 by an entrepreneur in France but a majority of its users – at least 65% – signed up this calendar year.
As the name suggests, the focus is on authenticity. Users are prompted once a day to share a photo of what they're doing at that moment, giving friends and others an unvarnished glimpse into their lives.
It has no filters and no editing buttons. So if your hair is messy at the time and you saw a rainy parking lot, that's what people will see.
The result is a far cry from the polished, overly curated photos popular on other social media platforms.
How does it work?
The concept of BeReal is simple. Once you download the app, you'll get a notification once a day that it's "BeReal" time. That means you have two minutes to take and post a photo of what you're doing, no matter how mundane.
There's no fixed time – the notification comes at random times of the day – adding to the mystique of the app.
"Push notifications are sent simultaneously around the world at different times each day," the company said in a statement. “It's a secret how the time is chosen each day, it's not random. »
This means that the potential window into your life can open at any time. When this is the case, the application prompts you to take a photo of what you are doing at that moment. It takes a double photo – a selfie and one showing what is in front of you. (BeReal does not allow videos yet.)
The result is a social feed filled with never-before-seen photos of people doing mostly everyday, unglamorous things — lounging in their pajamas, doing homework, riding the bus, cooking dinner in the microwave.
With just one message a day, there's no jumble of photos of friends to mindlessly skim through. You can only see posts from friends if you share a photo, which eliminates prowlers. Some people turn off their location for privacy reasons because the app works in real time.
Ben Telerski, 21, a student at Georgetown University, is an avid social media user and joined the app in August.
“What I love about BeReal is that I'm able to connect with my friends through social media on a platform that doesn't encourage liking, commenting or being contrived. …only showing your friends what you're up to when the daily alert goes off,” says Telerski, a junior government student.
Telerski says the posts he sees on the app are generally more authentic compared to other social media platforms.
"I try to post as soon as I see the notification, even if I'm just sitting up in bed or walking to class," he says. “I think the degree of authenticity depends on the persona each person creates on social media. If someone is trying to keep their social media presence very polished and produced, BeReal is not the app to use. »
What happens if you don't post within two minutes?
When you click on the daily BeReal notification, your camera opens in the app with a timer with a two-minute countdown. You have until the end of the time limit to take a picture of what is in front of you. At the same time, your rear-facing camera takes a selfie.
The app will share both images. You can pick them up anytime during the two minutes and share them with your friends when you're ready.
BeReal also allows users to take and post the photo later in the day. But it lets your friends know how many hours have passed since the notification you posted. Anyway, it blames you for your lack of spontaneity.
Why do people use it?
BeReal tapped into college campus marketing. It recruits young users through its College Ambassador program, which allows students to host events that educate others about the app.
Telerski thinks the app is popular because it's an antidote to pressure to look perfect online.
"I've seen a lot of news stories lately about the negative impacts of social media on the mental health of Gen Z. I don't know if BeReal is directly trying to tackle this issue, but they are certainly making progress towards that goal," he says.
Morgan Nott, 26, runs a teahouse in Reno and is a newbie on the app. She started using it last week at the suggestion of a friend. Nott says she finds it refreshing to get a non-airbrushed, non-idealized glimpse into other people's lives.
“It's its authenticity that makes it so appealing. Users are not as glamorous or fake as some may present themselves on other platforms,” she says. “It's something different. »
In a statement, BeReal says its goal is to create "an alternative to addictive social networks" that focus on influence accumulation, it says.
"BeReal is your chance to show your friends who you really are," the company says. “BeReal won't make you famous, if you want to become an influencer you can stay on TikTok and Instagram. »
Are BeReal messages really that authentic?
The app doesn't give you much time to apply makeup or stage your surroundings before taking and posting photos.
But some users may still try to manage their life on the app.
“It's possible to be as contrived on BeReal as people tend to be on other platforms,” says Telerski. Some people may ignore the notification to post at a certain time and wait to post until they're dressed and out to dinner with friends, he says.
"It's not in the spirit of BeReal and completely defeats the purpose," he says. “BeReal should be full of pictures of (people) walking, doing homework and sitting in bed watching Netflix. »
The young people CNN spoke to have no plans to give up on Instagram, TikTok and other social media apps.
Nott says she plans to keep her guard down on BeReal - and continue posting on other social media platforms as well.
Telerski says he tries to maintain a certain level of authenticity on social media, regardless of the platform. Authenticity is determined by a person, not an app, he says.
“For those who think we need a new social media app to be truly authentic, perhaps we should consider this a sign of being more authentic throughout our existing social media presence,” he said.
“Think about what social media was originally meant for – genuine connection through family and friends who follow your life. Maybe we should come back to that. »
SOURCE: Reviews News
Do not hesitate to share our article on social networks to give us a solid boost. 👓