This article explores the rising popularity of BeReal, a no-filter social media app embraced by Gen Z.
From the perspective of someone in their 50s who grew up without the internet or social media,
we reflect on why younger generations are choosing to share their unfiltered selves—and what that says about our digital age.By examining the shift from “looking good online” to “being real together,”
we ask: What is social media really for?
In a time when many feel exhausted from chasing likes and approval,
perhaps there's something for older generations to learn from this return to authenticity.
Lately, I’ve been hearing about an app called BeReal that’s gaining popularity among Gen Z.
They say it’s a “no-filter” social media platform—and honestly, as someone in my 50s, it feels a bit puzzling.Back when I was young, we didn’t even have the internet, let alone social media.
Now, the online world revolves around likes, filters, and perfectly curated posts.
So what does it mean to “not try to look good” or to “just be yourself” online?In this article, I take a closer look at BeReal and Gen Z’s shift toward authenticity.
At the same time, I reflect on the emotional fatigue that many people experience on social media today.What was social media supposed to be in the first place?
That’s the question I’d like to revisit—from the perspective of someone who’s seen the world both before and after it all began.
Table of Contents
- “Looking Good” vs. Being Real
- Why Gen Z Chooses “Unfiltered” Connections
- Why “Being Real” Matters Now
- I’m in My 50s—So Honestly, I Don’t Really Get It. But…
- So, What Is “Real,” Anyway?
“Looking Good” vs. Being Real
In the world of social media, it’s almost normal to “look better than you are.”
We add filters, post only the good parts, and chase likes without really knowing why.But sometimes, we stop and wonder:
“Am I doing this for me—or for others to see?”Back in my younger days, there was no internet.
So we didn’t grow up measuring ourselves by how many people liked our photos.
Now, we live in a world where your self-worth feels tied to your online image.For people in my generation, it's easy to think,
“Getting lots of likes = doing well in life.”
But is that really true? Or have we just gotten used to chasing approval?Gen Z seems to be saying,
“Let’s stop pretending. Just be real.”BeReal reflects that mindset: no filters, no staging—just you, in the moment.
Why Gen Z Chooses “Unfiltered” Connections
When I was young, taking a photo meant using film—and we didn’t share every little thing with others.
There were no likes, no filters, no need to “look good.”
Just being there, in the moment, was enough.But now, social media feels like a competition.
Post the best shot.
Get more likes.
Look amazing—whether you feel that way or not.Maybe that’s why some Gen Z folks are saying,
“I’m tired of this. I just want to be me.”BeReal seems built for that.
It doesn’t care about being popular or perfect:
- You get only 2 minutes to post
- No filters or editing allowed
- No public follower counts
- Just a small group of friends
It’s not about proving anything.
It’s about saying,
“Hey, I’m here. I exist. That’s enough.”And maybe that’s what a lot of us really need.
Why “Being Real” Matters Now
— Gen Z’s Honesty and Our Confusion
🔸 Wasn’t SNS supposed to be fun?
Social media used to feel like a fun place—
a quick message to a friend,
a silly video to laugh at,
a way to stay connected.But somehow, it turned into something else.
Now it’s all about likes, filters, followers.
We open an app, and instead of smiling,
we sigh.🔸 The Comparison Trap
It’s easy to fall into:
"Why is everyone’s life so shiny?"
"Why don't I get as many likes?"
"Am I... boring?"We start to compare.
And then we start to shrink.Maybe Gen Z saw this happening.
They watched older generations chasing approval,
and thought,
“Is this really what we want?”🔸 Back to Simple, Honest Moments
No filters.
No showing off.
Just small, real moments shared with people who get you.BeReal is part of that shift—
a quiet protest against the pressure to perform.It says:
"You don’t have to be amazing all the time.
You just have to be you."
I’m in My 50s—So Honestly, I Don’t Really Get It. But…
When I first heard about BeReal, I thought,
“Wait… What? You just post whatever you’re doing right now?”
Like—when the notification hits, you take a picture, no matter what you look like?Waking up? Eating lunch?
Still in pajamas?
Seriously?Back in my day, we didn’t even have the internet.
Taking a photo was something you did at weddings or vacations,
not just on a regular Tuesday while walking the dog.📸 Cameras Make Me Stiffen Up
Even now, when someone points a camera at me,
I straighten my back,
check the background,
force a smile.
I’m still stuck in the habit of “looking good.”🌿 But Their Way of Connecting Feels… Kind of Nice
This “BeReal” thing—it’s different.
There’s no pressure. No image crafting.Just, “Here I am, right now.”
And honestly?
That’s kind of beautiful.It’s not about perfect lighting or cool locations.
It’s about showing up, even when you’re tired or messy.Maybe we, the 50-something crowd,
don’t fully understand it yet—
but we can feel something true in it.
So, What Is “Real,” Anyway?
Through this look at BeReal and the mindset of Gen Z,
I’ve realized something:
Maybe it’s not about fully understanding it—
it’s about listening.We’ve been trying so hard to look good online,
chasing likes, crafting perfect images,
that somewhere along the way,
we started losing sight of ourselves.But maybe being “real” is simpler than we think.
It’s not about proving anything.
It’s not about comparison.
It’s just about saying,
“I’m here today. This is me.”Even in our 50s,
we can let go of the pressure, the pride, the filters.
Maybe we could try connecting with others
just as we are.In this age of digital noise,
what Gen Z is showing us might be a quiet kind of wisdom:✨ Being honest is enough.
✨ You don’t need to shine to be seen.
✨ You’re already real, just as you are.And honestly? That’s kind of a relief.
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