Real Talk: Stories by Teens 12+

Overall, I would give the Real Talk app a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Real Talk, an app that aims to support teen health through storytelling (MyHealthEd, Inc., 2018), has a lot of strengths in that it is visually pleasing, easy to navigate, and provides a safe, anonymous space for adolescents to express themselves and feel a sense of relatedness. The app could be improved by increasing its accessibility for example through having a listening option, adding or accepting more posts in order to grow its feed, and more flexibility in posting for users. That being said, the app does not have any ads, pop-ups, or trolls which are great aspects for the user, but unfortunately this is likely to change if popularity does rise. I really do think that Real Talk has a lot of potential, I hope that popularity does increase and that the creators will continue to make improvements in order to continue fostering their safe storytelling environment.

The Real Talk interface is fun and easy to use, and the content has a great balance of just-right information. It seems like the amount of content is very limited, though. Some search terms that gave me zero results: Hookup, contraception, HIV, consent. Hope this is just a shaky start, because the concept is something we really need.

I wish this was around when I was younger. I like how the messages are completely anonymous which allows teens to be more open about their experiences. I can't imagine having these same conversations with my parents! Outstanding work on creating a platform for teens to speak freely on real issues!