Common Sense Media Review
By Amanda Bindel
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Matchmaking meets social media, for older teens and adults.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Reach - Internet Best Friends
What's It About?
REACH - INTERNET BEST FRIENDS wants to connect people virtually with new friends. Think of it as a combination dating app and special interest discussion board. Users choose topics of interest and then drill down to specific groups (An interest in movies/TV with a group for fans of Riverdale, for example). They can then join these groups and share memes, thoughts, and images in a feed with comments. These joined groups are also used to match users with others with similar interests, and users are encouraged to connect with these potential "IBFs," or internet best friends. Matches are made based on age, location, interests, and other info entered in the bio.
Is It Any Good?
A matchmaking tool for finding a best friend online could be the world's greatest gift for introverts or a potentially dangerous situation, so teens and parents should proceed with caution. There are two parts to the app: The interest-focused feeds where teens can connect with others who share that interest are a great place for a meeting of the minds. The focus of Reach - Internet Best Friends, though, is pushing relationships, and that's where most of the comments on the interest pages go. Teens are exchanging Snapchat names, Instagram handles, and even phone numbers. The percentages matching users to potential best friends comes across as forced, since some matches are suggested just because both users picked the same emoji to represent their mood. While Reach - Internet Best Friends might be a fun place to chat, it's unlikely to develop any relationships to best friend status, and its risks outweigh the benefits for most younger teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how teens could safely use Reach - Internet Best Friends for online relationships. Discuss your family's expectations about meeting online friends face-to-face for the first time. Is it allowed at all? Must they meet with a group or an adult present? Should they meet in a public place?
Understand and respect that teens want privacy -- which may include the opportunity to talk to someone they don't know well about their interests -- while making sure your teen know you are available to talk and that they are connected to support resources they may need.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : September 9, 2019
- Genre : Social Networking
- Publisher : Project Cohort, Inc
- Version : 2.8.3
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 11.4 or later; Android 5.0 or later
- Last updated : February 16, 2020
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