The Effects of BeReal at Central

In an era where the idea of perfection has consumed social media, feelings of isolation can quickly run rampant. Many people post only their best outfits, coolest trips, and greatest accomplishments, and it’s all too easy to compare yourself to this impossible image of perfection. However, a challenge to these social media norms has been rising in popularity, in the form of an app called “BeReal”. Its premise is simple but effective - every user in a region receives a notification at the same random time throughout the day, and they are given a two minute window to take a picture of themselves and their surroundings.

The draw of a casual and genuine approach to social media brings many users closer together, and an increasing number of Central students are joining that user base. Senior Allison Hobson, a previous user of BeReal, says that out of her family and friend group, around 80% are on BeReal. She adds, “I feel like we haven’t seen a social media platform like this before, it’s promoting being genuine online - it’s a cool idea”. Lesley Slue, another senior, says she usually takes her BeReals every day. She adds, “I would say it’s better [than other social media]: I don’t feel obligated to post, and I like how it doesn’t affect your mentality on how you only get a certain amount of likes”.

The short notification window encourages an authentic and unfiltered view into the daily lives of its users: capturing the fun, the mundane, and everything in between, all within the same two minutes. However, the unique premise behind BeReal also has its drawbacks.

“People aren’t as real as they were in the beginning, where they took it right away, [now] some people wait. People have kind of turned it into their personal Instagram, and now they only take it when they’re doing something” says Slue, who has been a user since July. Slue also notes the infamously buggy nature of the app, adding “Sometimes the app will log you out or won’t let you post.”

The staff at Central also have mixed feelings on BeReal. Because of the randomized notification times, BeReal often sends out a notification while students are in school. It has become a trend to take a picture of your whole classroom, or to have the teacher take the BeReal, and while some teachers are okay with participating, it still interrupts class time. Teacher Choi, a teacher at Central who is familiar with BeReal, says the app’s notifications have interrupted their classes a few times, but noted that they were only smaller disruptions. Their general opinion on the app is appreciation for the concept behind it, noting that it is “nice and not toxic”, but adds that it is starting to become like any other social media site.

The spontaneity that sets BeReal apart from other apps may be both its biggest pro and biggest con, but whatever your take on it is, it’s hard to deny that the app is becoming increasingly popular at Central.