Entertainment
Social media app BeReal sparks debate on whether or not it’s a healthier alternative
Psychologist says the platform could be ‘detrimental’ to mental health
The social media app BeReal has sparked conversation about whether or not it’s a healthier alternative to other platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok.
The app prompts users to take a picture of themselves at a different time each day to share with their friends.
People only have two minutes to take their photo, which aims to promote taking an authentic snapshot of what they’re doing at that moment.
Although BeReal intends to encourage authenticity, according to Clinical psychologist, Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee, it also has its downsides.
“[BeReal] may add an extra level of pressure to always be on and to always be ready for a photo opportunity,” said Alani-Verjee.
She believes the app could be harmful to teenagers’ mental health.
“It could increase anxiety, increase what we call self-monitoring, so that’s our observations and awareness of ourselves at any given moment and this could have detrimental repercussions for our mental health,” she said.
Toronto Metropolitan University student Liliana Roberti and a user of BeReal also thinks the app has its negative effects.
“In a way, [BeReal] has become an [unhealthy] form of social media because I think people wait until they’re doing something super interesting to post…which I’m guilty of,” said Roberti.
The new social media app also raises the question of whether or not it has increased the fear of missing out (FOMO) for users.
Third-year TMU Media Production Student Zain Rao says that the combination of using BeReal with other social media apps causes the feeling of FOMO.
“Everything online is fake. Let’s begin with that. I’ve worked with a lot of influencers and when I work with them, whatever they post online…it’s completely different from the truth.”
The rise of BeReal continues to encourage social media users to rethink their social media habits.
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