Parents' Guide to

Poparazzi

By Matt Cabral, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Fresh take on pic sharing has language, suggestive content.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free Photo & Video
Poparazzi Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Poparazzi App: Screenshot#1
  • Poparazzi App: Screenshot#2
  • Poparazzi App: Screenshot#3

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Privacy Rating Warning

  • Unclear whether personal information is sold or rented to third parties.
  • Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.
  • Data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • Unclear whether this product uses a user's information to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What’s It About?

POPARAZZI is a photo-sharing social media app that essentially puts friends in charge of each others' profiles. Rather than snapping and posting pics of yourself, you're encouraged to take candid photos of your friends. As the name implies, you become your friends' paparazzi, taking unedited, sometimes embarrassing, pictures of them and posting them to their profile. The app also encourages users to take pics often, gamifying the experience a bit by awarding a "pop" score and calling out very active photographers as "Tops Pops."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

Among the many photo-sharing apps available, this one has a fresh take, but it still has iffy content. On the surface, Poparazzi looks fairly standard. But once you download it -- and get past its rather intrusive request to access your contact list -- you'll find that it's a pretty brilliant subversion of our selfie-obsessed culture. The point of Poparazzi is to take and post, or "pop," pictures of your friends, basically turning you into its namesake. Not only does the concept refreshingly turn the tables on the idea of posing for flawless selfies and carefully curating a perfect profile, but it also makes for a fun, new way to socialize with friends who otherwise might have their faces buried in their own devices.

Of course, while snapping candid pics of unsuspecting subjects can be a blast, it can also lead to some embarrassing posts. In this way, Poparazzi is at its best when used among a close-knit group of friends who are totally onboard with the concept. Users must follow each other to share each others' photos, but your mileage may vary with photo-shy friends who reluctantly signed up for the "fun." Profiles can also be followed -- even if the follow isn't reciprocated -- meaning that anyone can pretty much limit their participation to lurking. Poparazzi certainly isn't for everyone, but for the free spirit with a like-minded social group, it offers a fantastic twist on a formula that's starting to feel as dated as an old Polaroid.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Poparazzi differs from similar social media platforms. What do you like about its photo-sharing features compared to similar apps'? What don't you like about its focus on posting photos of others? When could you see yourself using Poparazzi versus other social media apps?

  • Would you feel comfortable having a close friend post pictures of you? Conversely, would you be comfortable posting pictures of a friend?

  • Who would you feel comfortable using the platform with? Is it best when used with friends or family? Would you follow or want to be followed by users you're not as well acquainted with?

App Details

  • Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
  • Pricing structure: Free
  • Release date: June 24, 2021
  • Category: Photo & Video
  • Publisher: TTYL Inc.
  • Version: 1.0.11
  • Minimum software requirements: iOS 13.1 or later; Android 4.2 and up
  • Last updated: October 7, 2021

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