Is BeReal Safe For Kids? Know The Answer Here!  

It’s no hidden secret that social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are not safe for kids. But what about BeReal, an app that is so adamant in claiming that it is not like other apps? Is BeReal safe for kids? If you’re familiar with the way the app works, you might think that it is. 

Because what could possibly be so wrong with the app? BeReal doesn’t depend on filters so that the reality can be edited and appear perfect? It only gives users a 2-minute window to take a picture so that they can actually be real with themselves and their friends. Along with this, the app has so many other perks that Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc. apps lack. 

But again, even though there are dozens of perks, is BeReal safe for kids? This is a question that any parent would want to be answered in great detail, right? Well, I heard you guys. So, if you’re a concerned parent/ guardian, make sure that you’re scrolling to the bottom of this. 

Is BeReal Safe For Kids Or Not?

In today’s digital world, it’s natural to let your kids and teens have access to social media platforms. Sometimes, it’s okay to let them have their own accounts, provided that they use it under adult supervision. But, none of this means that the platform that they are using is completely safe; regardless of the amount of parental controls that may be there in place. 

And although BeReal is actually not like other social media platforms, there are some risks attached to its usage as well. Even though the app’s functioning is in a way that almost anyone can feel safe, there are still some things that can be problematic for certain users, including kids. So, is BeReal safe for kids?

You see, there isn’t a yes or no answer to this question. You will have to understand the app’s functionality to see whether it is safe for your kid or not. And well, to understand how the app works and how safe it is, make sure that you scroll to the bottom of this post. 

How Does The BeReal App Work?

When it comes to the way BeReal app works, it’s truly unlike your other social media platforms. Here are some of the noticeable differences between BeReal and other platforms:

• BeReal doesn’t have any filters. 
• Users only have two minutes to take a picture and share it on the platform. 
• The two-minute window isn’t fixed; it changes regularly. This creates spontaneity and makes it almost impossible for anyone to make any changes to their pictures. 
• Only people living in the same geographical region get to have the same two-minute window and not everyone else. 
• The app makes use of the selfie camera just so that things can be a little more authentic. 
• The app lets users retake a picture once and share it until two hours later. However, the photo will be marked “delayed” just so that other people know that it’s been taken again. 
• The only people who can see your pictures are the ones in your friend list, but the catch here is that they also need to have uploaded a picture. 

Now that you understand the workings of the BeReal app, you’re way more equipped to understand the safety risks that may be attached to its usage. So, keep scrolling. 

Is BeReal Safe For Kids And Teens?

Authenticity is rare to come by these days, even more so on social media platforms. But just because an app is authentic does not mean that it is also safe for your kid/ teen to use. Here are some privacy risks attached to the usage of BeReal by kids: 

01. Strangers Have Access To Your Kids

The Discovery Page of BeReal is full of random people who have shared a picture of themselves with others. Some of these people have even shared their location. And although your kids can’t comment on a picture of someone who is not in your friend list, your kids can very well go to the stranger’s profile and add them as a friend. 

If the invite gets accepted, the stranger will be able to see your kids’ pictures and also communicate with them via the comment section of their posts since BeReal doesn’t really have direct messaging. 

02. Location Sharing Is On By Default

Another thing that parents need to be mindful of is that the location-sharing feature of BeReal is turned on by default. And even though there is an option to turn it off by going to the settings of one’s device, a lot of people aren’t usually aware that something like this can be done. 

So, when you consider this, is BeReal safe for kids? Maybe not. Definitely not when random people on the internet may have access to their geographical location.

03. The App Can Make Kids Anxious

Given that BeReal only provides users with a two-minute window, it creates a sense of urgency in kids. It makes them feel like as soon as the window opens, they have to drop everything and take a picture for the app. 

On top of this, the two-minute window that exists is not fixed. It changes constantly. And this puts kids on an edge. They, too, have to be on alert constantly because they can receive a notification at any time. And then, they will have to share a picture. 

04. The App Can Be Distracting

It’s not just that the app can put kids on edge; it’s also that it can be a constant source of distraction for them. Because the notification can come at any time, and there will only be two minutes available to take a picture, kids are usually more focused on not missing the said notification. 

Plus, if and when it comes, they have to drop whatever they are doing— whether taking a test or connecting with someone in-person, they have to drop it and do the needful.  So, is BeReal safe for kids in this case? Although it may be safe in other terms, the distraction it causes can be pretty damaging.

05. Little To No Parental Control

These days, more and more apps are coming up with supervision features and parental controls. But, so is not the case with BeReal, not at the time of writing this article, at least. The app is pretty simple in its functionality, and there are almost no parental controls.

Because of this, parents don’t really have a way to supervise/ monitor their kids on the platform. With this in mind, is BeReal safe for kids? Maybe not.

Wrapping Up

So, Is BeReal safe for kids? We’ve reached the bottom of this article, and therefore, I hope you’ve been able to arrive at an answer to this. Just like any other social media platform, the app too comes with its own set or risks and concerns. And in this article, I walked you through them. So, keeping all those points in mind, I hope you’ve assessed the app for yourself. In case there’s anything else you’d like to know with regards to BeReal, please feel free to ask it in the comments!