Let’s Get Real with BeReal
Do you use BeReal? Or are you still confused about the concept of the app? Are you considering downloading it and are afraid you may become addicted to it like TikTok? Well, hopefully, this article will help you make a decision on whether the app will be of use to you or not. BeReal was actually released in 2020, but only became increasingly popular in 2022. There are currently 10 million accounts that get used every day, and the app is free to download, which makes it all the more enticing. How does BeReal affect student life at Lakehead? I wanted to know, so I asked various students for their opinion.
What do you do on BeReal? Simply put, users are given a notification to post a picture from both the front and back camera to share with their followers what they are participating in at that exact moment. Users are only given 2 minutes to do so! To me, it sounds like the BeReal app is an attempt to make social media more “authentic” by having its users post exactly what they are doing at random times throughout the day. Sometimes, individuals are called out for being disingenuous on social media, but BeReal wants to escape that common social media stereotype. BeReal does not allow for any editing or filters!
One first-year student at Lakehead Orillia says, “It is fun, and I like it because it works as my own personal diary of what I am up to each and every day. It can be scary though because it is basically a form of public surveillance, but you can make your posts private so that only people that you want to see your photos can see your photos.” Like any social media platform, there are pros and cons. I think one of the most important things to take into account is the privacy of others. Always ask your peers if they want to be in the photo before posting. University is full of different experiences worth documenting and sharing, but being aware of the privacy of others is essential to ensure everyone feels safe on campus!
Recently, I spent some time with friends that attend Lakehead, and BeReal was an app used frequently. Every time the BeReal notification came up, my friend would hold up the phone, so that a picture of the view ahead of her was taken, and then she turned it around to take a selfie of herself and those around her. Everyone gets so excited about it, even myself; the surprise notification is fun to anticipate. The excitement comes from celebrating and embracing our true selves without being afraid to. A wide range of silly faces, big smiles, and exaggerated frowns were posted that night. It did not feel performative and awkward like I thought it would; I was just living in the moment. I will say with certainty that nothing was manipulated to make the pictures “look better,” so the post adhered to the name “BeReal.”
Overall, I can see the appeal of BeReal… it is an app that helps individuals show others their interests, hobbies, and personalities in an engaging way! Let’s face it… we live in a world where it is extremely difficult to escape technology and social media, so we might as well make it into something that is enjoyable and lifts the pressures of trying to adhere to a certain social standard. It is not solely about proving to others that you are worth following, but is also an app that helps students keep track of their memorable university experiences on one platform! It will be something to look back on when one feels nostalgic for the future. Do you have any BeReal experiences you’d like to share Lakehead? Comment below!