Michaela Casey's review of BeReal
Date last edited: 11-22-2024 at 07:45PM
Rating: Not Rated
Review:
App: BeReal
Developers: Alexis Barreyat and Kévin Perreau
Genre: Social Media
Rating: 4 Stars
Primary audience: ages 16-25
Version: 3:19:0
Platforms: Android & iOS
Cost: Free
BeReal is a newer app that was released in 2020. It is a form of social media, that although it has some similarities to other forms of social media, has many differences. As most social media’s, there are ways that it can be used that contradicts a Catholic way of life, but there are also ways that it can promote good. Bereal in particular, because of its differences, has great potential for being a positive app for those that use it in the right way. I will be diving into how this app can be interpreted through the lens of the seven media keys.
The First Media Key: Balance – The first media key discussed is one balance. This involves the importance of having a balanced mindset when it comes to using social media platforms such as BeReal. Along with this key is the virtue of temperance, which deals within itself the importance of moderation in everything you do. Although the app BeReal itself has no moral issue, if one were to overuse it and allow it to consume them, it is then that it can become harmful. One of the great things about this app in particular though, are that it was designed in a way that the features are one to allow for endless scrolling, like so many other forms of social media. It is much more personal, which allows it to be easier to keep it in balance with the rest of your life.
The Second Media Key: Attitude Awareness – The next media key discusses the importance of being aware of your attitude towards whatever it is you are doing and taking in. The things we watch and allow into our lives can have more of an effect than we realize on our attitude throughout the day. An easy pitfall with social media is that it can drag us away from reality, forcing us to always be distance from those around us. The virtue to keep in mind when dealing with this media key is the virtue of prudence. “It disposes of practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.” The app BeReal doesn’t allow you to see the post of others unless you are friends, and even then, it only keeps the post up for 24hrs. Through this it discourages mindless scroll or being able to see things of the past. This allows for people to not compare themselves to others on the site which tends to avoid comparison – which is one of the major downfalls to other social media platforms.
The Third Media Key: The dignity of the human person – the next media key dives into one of the most important aspects of all when it comes to any topic. Every human was made in the image and likeness of God, and therefore has an inherent dignity, deserving of them respect. This aligns with the virtue of justice where everyone is owed their due. This in particular aligns with the use of social media as it has become a way for people to forget that there is someone on the other end of that site – not merely an object without emotions or the capacity to love. BeReal has the potential to lift up that dignity of others by leaving positive comments or funny reactions to your friends that post. It also discourages the use of negative feedback because it is easy to keep your friends list close, without allowing those who would be negative onto your page.
The Fourth Media Key: Truth-filled – The next media key discusses the importance of the media you are taking in or send out to be filled with truth. It is in our human nature to believe what we hear – we are a trusting creatures. However, the media over the years has become a place of spreading rumors as truth. When dealing with this media key it is important to practice the virtue of fortitude. Through this virtue one can have the strength to avoid temptation and stay on the right path. On social media this often deals with inappropriate photos or information being spread to those who should not be seeing it. BeReal due to its design only allows those who you follow to see their posts, which saves that risk of coming across something you don’t want to see. It also is not a site where blog type posts happen, therefore also not allowing the spread of false information.
The Fifth Media Key: Inspiring – This next media key dives into the importance of the media you are sending out, as well as viewing, should be inspiring – spreading hope. The virtue of hope is so important, without it there would be nothing to get you up every morning. Through this virtue we desire to get to heaven, and draw everyone we know there as well. For me, something that brings hope into my day is experiencing joy and seeing the joy of others. BeReal allows this joy to be spread through communication with those you care about. Getting a glimpse into their daily life to see the things they are enjoying. I think simply spreading positivity through the little things in life are what are a true inspiration.
The Sixth Media Key: Skillfully developed – The next media key discusses the importance of the platform being used to be developed in a skillful manner, as to draw people in and for the right reasons. I think the creators of BeReal had seen how other social media platforms were being used and could tell that something different was needed. They created an app that has similar features to other apps but differences that eliminated some of those downfalls that the others had. When dealing with this key, it is important to keep in mind the virtue of faith. Remembering that the Lord has a plan for us, and everything we do should be honoring him and that plan. If there is something that you want to develop, the first question that must be asked is if it will bring others to the Lord or away.
The Seventh Media Key: Motivated by and relevant to experience – The final media key discusses how good media is motivated by and relevant to our personal experience. The only way to truly reach someone is to be relevant to something that know, in this way you can make them feel and relate. This is what’s going to draw someone in. People are more motivated when they can understand what someone is going through, or why something is happening, which is why it is so important to have media that stirs this in people. We must keep in mind the virtue of charity with this media key, as it is through love of God and others that we will every accomplish anything. BeReal allows for this relation to one another through the sharing of pictures of your daily life with your friends. It allows us to see that we share so many similarities in the little things we do each day, not merely only seeing the posed show put on when people post on other social media platforms.
In conclusion, we see that the social media site BeReal aligns quite well with the goals of the seven media keys. Although it is not perfect, as no social media can be, it does allow for the most wholesome interactions between friends that can be both inspiring and bring joy to one’s day. I recommend the app, and I believe this is a good review to read if you are interested in getting BeReal.
Seven Keys:
Balanced:
Attitude:
Personal:
Truth-filled:
Inspired:
Skillfully Made:
Experienced:
Overall Rating: 30/35
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