BeReal is gaining popularity because of its filter-free premise and simple interface.
Teenagers like to connect with their friends on BeReal and share pictures with them.
This has left many parents concerned about the security risks of the app.
From unmoderated pictures to location sharing, your childs privacy might be at risk.
Well address your concerns for teens using BeReal, along with some safety precautions.
Let’s find out how teenagers can use BeReal without compromising their online safety and security.
The following is a list of the risks that teenagers might face on BeReal.
When you explore the Discovery section of BeReal, it might contain different images posted by unknown users.
The BeReal app is for people over 13.
Since the platform has no special teen-friendly features, everything is merged in one place.
This means a 30-year-old might be watching the same content as a 14-year-old.
There are no filters or tweaks to moderate the content.
New BeReal users might unknowingly share their location with others.
Sharing your location with strangers is considered a threat to your security.
When posting a public BeReal, teens should hide their location.
If posting the location is necessary, we recommend sharing it only with your BeReal friends.
Little Parental Control
The concept of BeReal is to share your real-time photos.
Users have reported the role of parents on BeReal to be inefficient as it does not counter potential issues.
This lack of parental control allows teens to use the app however they like.
Users can send requests or watch your BeReals if you post them publicly.
you might also appear on the Discovery Feed of any user.
It can lead to online harassment, cyberbullying, and other issues.
Posting a picture publicly means that youll also be getting reactions from people you dont know.
Someone might not like or understand your picture, leading to unnecessary trolling.
Unfortunately, thats not the case when reporting on BeReal.
Users get a very concise reporting section with only two reporting options.
you’re able to only report the content to be undesirable or inappropriate.
You cant select or write details on why something being reported is undesirable or inappropriate.
So, users are left unsure of whether their report was worth considering or not.
Keep Your Social Circle Limited
We talked about the unmoderated pictures and easy account discovery issues on BeReal.
The best practice to counter these problems is by limiting your social circle.
Set your privacy to Friends and Contacts only.
With a private social circle, teens feel more confident and honest about sharing their feelings.
Parents are also at ease, knowing their children add only the people they know.
Report and Block Inappropriate Users
It isvirtually impossible to moderate social media websitesfully, and BeReal is no different.
The app will stop showing you their posts.
Reporting the content can even get the account taken down.
Other than that, if a user posts explicit content unsuitable for teens and adults, simply block them.
you could also contact theBeReal Help Centerif you think your report is not properly addressed.
Blocked people are unable to contact you and see your posts.
Use BeReal With Extra Security
Parents are always cautious about the way teens use social media.
Despite its interesting concept, it comes with certain limitations with regard to privacy.
Location sharing and easy communication make profiles much more accessible to users.
On top of that, little to no parental controls make it inconvenient for parents to keep tabs.
The best way to maintain security is by keeping your BeReal circle limited and reporting any inappropriate content.
