Is being too honest a thing?

Now many of you know what the app “Sarahah” is. Most adults do not and some teenagers may not know, so let me break it down for you. First, not many people know how to pronounce it, so if you can’t don’t worry because you surely aren’t alone. The app made its arrival to the app store back in February but has just gained popularity, so much popularity that it gained the title of most popular app searched. Its name means “honesty” in Arabic. The app allows users to link it to SnapChat, then friends slide up and are on their peers’ profile. Users can also search other users while on the app. This is where it starts getting good, or bad depending on how you look at it. The app allows users to submit honest opinions, comments, and critics about their peers. This allows people to say whatever they want about the person because its anonymously posted. Now if you haven’t gotten the jiff about this app, let me explain a little bit more. An app that’s popular around teenagers and that lets people post comments anonymously is just giving an easy way to cyberbully.

These sites are dangerous and teenage minds are very vulnerable because you may not know what someone is going through. Your so called “friends” shouldn’t have to leave you constructive feedback while being anonymous. Sarahah opens doors for cyberbullying and from there the outcomes are endless.

I have participated in this trend by making a profile to let people leave me anon messages, but I have not left anyone else messages. The messages I have received will be part of another article, but just remember that no matter how strong you think you are, you may not be strong enough to withstand a possibly cruel message.

So yes, there can be a thing as “being too honest” because in reality no one is being honest. People are just cyberbullies hiding behind a screen. So, teens who have the app, please only use it for good and for encouragement. To the adults with children, if you know your kid uses Sarahah please be aware what the app is actually about and please discuss to only use it for good.

Sincerely,

A teen worried about her generation.