Time to BeReal! Exploring users' well-being in relation to BeReal use duration
- Author(s)
- Jaroslava Kanková, Anja Stevic, Alice Binder, Jörg Matthes
- Abstract
The mobile app BeReal, launched in 2020, has gained popularity for its emphasis on authenticity, spontaneity, and real-time daily interactions with close ties, earning it the label of “anti-Instagram.” However, empirical evidence on its relationship with well-being is currently lacking. This study uses a quasi-experimental two-wave design to examine the relationship between BeReal use duration and well-being indicators. Results suggest that long-term BeReal use is linked to higher friendship satisfaction, positively influencing life satisfaction. In addition, long-term use is associated with reduced fear of missing out and connection overload compared to short-term use, suggesting BeReal may enhance well-being possibly by facilitating daily interactions with close ties, limiting usage time, and providing a more authentic representation of everyday life compared to other social media platforms.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Communication
- Journal
- New Media & Society
- ISSN
- 1461-4448
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448251317689
- Publication date
- 2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 508007 Communication science
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication, Sociology and Political Science
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/4e3c436f-5295-463b-a7d4-604dc1f93490