Let's Be Real

"Are you on BeReal? You can post real photos to real friends," a student suggested. "With BeReal, you can express yourself authentically and connect with others without feeling that they judge you," the student continued. Due to the fact that I don't post "fake images to fake friends," I didn't need to "be real," but what the heck? I just joined to see what Gen Zs love about it. I don't get why we have to take (usually) unflattering selfies in front of closets, walls, and desks.

Authenticity and individuality are big things for Generation Z. BeReal encourages users to be vulnerable and build meaningful connections through features like journaling, anonymous sharing, and personal growth challenges. The app also provides a safe space for users to talk about their emotions and thoughts due to its focus on mental health and self-care. This makes BeReal's impact on this demographic palpable. BeReal resonates with Gen Z's values and beliefs because it's about being true to yourself, embracing your uniqueness, and rejecting societal pressure to conform. Young people are encouraged to live their lives with purpose, pursue their passions and dreams, and to be unapologetically themselves by this movement. Not to sound too judgmental, but we are talking about the same generation that idolized personas on Instagram and Tik Tok with all of their "bad habits" to filter, edit, crop, and post content to gather likes and monetize "fun".

Does this mean all social media apps post fake stuff? Well... No, all other social media apps don't (always) post fake content. Some users may feel pressured to present an idealized or curated version of themselves, rather than allowing authenticity and vulnerability. Unlike other social media sites, BeReal focuses on genuine self-expression and connection, while other platforms might emphasize likes, followers, and curated online personalities. That being said, the use of social media is subjective and everyone experiences it differently.

My previous article questioned the copycat culture of social media. Most of the content "creators" try to either copy a successful dance/challenge or comment on other people's videos. I find it utterly boring and non-creative, but apparently, joining such trends brings followers and eventually income. This is why it is critical to encourage creativity and originality by recognizing and rewarding original content that goes beyond simply replicating trends. For now, BeReal doesn't seem to be a platform to monetize content, but give it time. Originally Instagram was about capturing the moment, but now it's the land of whateverness.

Even though I'm not saying anything novel, it's helpful to identify why social media users copy each other. In the first place, it's because of social comparison. On social media, people can compare their success, popularity, or appearance to others'. To fit in or feel better about themselves, people can imitate other people's behavior, posts, or styles. In addition, there's the infamous influencer culture. The rise of social media influencers has made copying others a common behavior, as individuals aim to emulate the lifestyles, aesthetics, and behavior of popular individuals. Another factor that contributes to people replicating trends is FOMO. Ther Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) can also lead users to imitate others on social media, as they want to keep up with the experiences that others are sharing. In some cases, individuals may not have the creativity or originality to come up with their own content, leading them to copy others. Last but not least, copying others on social media is also a way to feel validated. This is because they may feel that they will receive more likes, comments, or followers if they imitate popular trends or behaviors.

It's pertinent to note that while copying others on social media can provide temporary validation or a sense of fitting in, it can also contribute to negative feelings such as low self-esteem and a lack of individuality. Copying others could lead to feelings of inadequacy when one's own accomplishments don't measure up to those of others. It could also lead to feelings of being inauthentic and not true to oneself, which can further contribute to a lack of self-confidence.

This is why I find BeReal so boring and intriguing at the same time. Since individuals want to express themselves on social media, it's far better to express their authentic selves and find their own voices. Even better if we can communicate outside of social media.