Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Private, often iffy, thoughts go public on anonymous app.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Whisper - Share, Express, Meet
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?
Users post whatever's on their minds by typing it into a blank field. Then the app suggests what it feels is an appropriate image to accompany the thought. The confessor can opt to go with that image or upload one of his or her own. These "whispers" can be browsed by topic, by nearby location, by popularity, and by time posted.
Is It Any Good?
Although WHISPER is a phenomenally popular app, it's not one for kids. Themes of sexual desire and self-loathing flow uninterrupted. Some users use it to try to hook up with someone nearby, while others post "confessions," though many of these appear to be simply an attempt to become one of the entries in the "popular" field. The images are eye-catching, in part because they rely heavily on lingerie-clad models and shirtless men. And the language is raw.
Adults using the app may find the occasional thought-provoking topic, whereby someone posts a serious whisper that prompts helpful responses, such as how to deal with tricky social situations. It's easy to see how Whisper can be an addicting app, but it's best for adults only.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about "anonymous" apps and how anonymity may affect users' behavior.
Many whispers seem to be an attempt to get replies and likes (called "hearts"). Talk about how to evaluate whether a user might be stretching the truth to get a response.
The images in Whisper could lead to some uncomfortable discussions about the sexualization of everyday topics.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire
- Pricing structure :
- Release date : January 28, 2014
- Genre : Social Networking
- Publisher : WhisperText LLC
- Version : 3.0.4
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 5.1 or later; Android 2.3.3 and up
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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