Social media hasn’t felt truly “social” for a while. Endless feeds of videos, algorithms, and recommendations often get in the way of true connection, switching traditional social platforms from apps that keep us close with friends to entertainment apps that help pass the time. For some of us, including teens, this type of social media is tiring, overwhelming, and just doesn’t provide true connection – which is where yope wants to fill the gap.
yope is a private photo-sharing app designed for small, close groups of friends, letting them share photo updates and images inside small, invite-only groups. It’s recently surged in popularity, especially among teens, because it feels more personal than big public platforms. In this guide, we’ll cover how teens are using yope, the risks to watch for, and how to make the app safer.
What can teens do on yope?
yope appeals to teens who want a more private space to share moments with close friends. Rather than favoring a public feed, yope lets teens post to their “inner circle”, sharing updates and photos only with those they have personally invited to use the app. Using yope, teens can:
- Create small, private friend groups where they share day-to-day moments and pictures.
- Post photos directly to a group and react to their friends’ posts with comments, or emojis.
- Build visual “walls” or collages of shared photos that capture group memories over time.
- Install a widget on their home screen, or a lock-screen feature that lets them see their friends’ latest posts without having to open up the app.
- Talk in group chats in a closed-off setting, and decide who gets to join.
The app’s appeal is in its focus: putting real-life experiences and the friends you actually have first, cutting out the “fake” performative elements of social media.
It’s also attractive because it flies under the radar: for teens currently facing social media restrictions following Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, yope offers an alternative to Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and other platforms that fall under the new guidelines.
yope: The risks parents need to know
False sense of security
Private groups can make children and teens feel overly safe, which can sometimes lead to oversharing or sharing personal content. Even if things are said or sent in private, friends or people viewing the content can still take screenshots and share them outside the group. Closed-off groups can also be spaces where children feel more free to say what they want, potentially fueling bullying and mean behavior.
Streak-based posting
Like other social-based apps, such as Snapchat, yope has a streak system which keeps track of how often teens are posting. To keep up their streak, teens must post at least one photo a day, and if they fail to do so, their streak resets. This can encourage feelings of FOMO and gamifies what should be a simple photo-sharing experience, promoting engagement and pushing teens to open the app.
Social pressure
Teens can feel pressure to post frequently or maintain engagement, especially if they have more active friends. Elements like the homescreen widget and lock screen live activities may encourage teens to share more than they would normally do, making the app more present and difficult to ignore.
Data privacy
As with any social platform, yope collects tracking data and personal information, such as app usage data, and personal information. It’s important to check how the apps your child uses store information, and make sure they understand the kind of information they should never share online.
5 ways to make yope safer for teens
As social apps go, yope carries less of an inherent risk as there is a smaller chance teens can contact people outside of their friendship circle. However, as with any communication tool or social app, teens should be careful with what they share, how they talk to others on the app, and know who to turn to if they see anything that upsets them online. These precautions will help keep teens safer as they use apps like yope:
1. Keep friend circles to friends only
Make sure your child only accepts and sends friend requests within their personal circle – never sharing numbers with strangers or friends of friends.
2. Avoid them falling into a false sense of security
Private chats, images, and other content can easily be screenshot, or talked about outside the friendship circle. It’s important your teen knows what they can and can’t share, and understands that online, even if something is said in private, it can be made public.
3. Talk about the online behavior you expect
Closed-off groups can be a space for bullying and mean comments. Talk to your child about ways to be kind and promote positive behavior online, encouraging them to treat others with respect.
4. Keep screen time balanced
Chats and fun photos can be entertaining, but minutes can easily turn into hours when you’re talking online. Even if it’s “social” in nature, balance screen time with offline time by setting healthy limits on apps and encouraging teens to spend time doing other things they enjoy (or need to do!).
5. Make sure they understand who they can talk to
If something makes your child feel uncomfortable on yope or any other app, it’s important that they know who they can turn to, whether it’s you or any other trusted adult. Let them know you’ll always be there to listen and not to judge, and to offer advice if they need it.
By staying involved with your teen’s digital habits and understanding the apps that they enjoy, you’ll be two steps ahead when it comes to keeping them safe and protected online. Social trends and apps come and go, but through ongoing conversations, precautions and boundaries, and being there from them when they need it, you’ll help them build healthier digital habits that last a lifetime.
