Common Sense Media Review
By Mieke VanderBorght
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Calming virtual space to explore feelings, relax.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
#SelfCare
Parent and Kid Reviews
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
The home base in #SELFCARE is a bird's eye view of a bedroom. Tap around it to discover different activities that intend to calm and support -- and create a joyous, loving space for users. For example, tap on bubbles to calmly "blow" bigger and bigger bubbles on the screen. A deck of tarot cards is available for a daily reading. Journal prompts ask users to reflect, and positive affirmations aim to inspire. Throughout the activities, and as users visit the app regularly and tap around the bedroom, artificial intelligence generated messages appear on screen to encourage, inspire, and provide hope and optimism. In theory, over time, the messages and content become better targeted and more relevant to the user.
Is It Any Good?
This combination digital journal, self-affirmation, calming oasis is certainly unique -- but can take getting used to and isn't going to feel right for everyone. #Selfcare succeeds in creating a soothing environment and in combining a variety of ways for teens to connect. And it might be especially unseful for kids who don't have a space all their own. The messages, activities, and overall feel of the app are gentle, kind, and compassionate. Some teens may find the opportunities for self-reflection therapeutic, or the calming exercises beneficial. Others may find that the app doesn't resonate with them. And, some teens may feel just fine with delving into these personal topics through a screen and interacting through artificial intelligence, whereas others will not. Similarly, some of the activities, such as journaling, work just fine in an app. Others, such as petting a cat to hear its purr, just doesn't feel the same on a screen -- nor does it likely have the same calming benefits. The bottom line is that #Selfcare does a nice job of creating a safe space for emotional exploration, but its digital setting, and its approach, may not appeal to all.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how using #Selfcare makes teens feel. Is it a safe place to release and process emotions? Do the questions, affirmations, and activities make you feel better?
How is this app the same or different from the majority of games or other apps? Does using #Selfcare feel different than other things you use your phone to do?
Provide opportunities for teens to unwind and process emotions in multiple ways. What helps your teen feel calm, grounded, and connected?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : writing
- Skills : Emotional Development : developing resilience , handling stress , identifying emotions , self-awareness , Health & Fitness : mental health
- Pricing structure : Free (optional in-app purchases for cosmetic choices)
- Release date : February 5, 2021
- Genre : Lifestyle
- Publisher : Tru Luv Media, Inc.
- Version : 2.0.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 9.0 or later, Android 4.1 and up
- Last updated : May 9, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
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