# Reading Response 3
## Collapsed Context
To BeReal or to not BeReal? That is the question. It is safe to say that BeReal has taken over as the newest form of social media. Despite the company saying they are "not another social network," that's exactly what it is. In an effort to make social media more "real," the app refrains from allowing users to see what others are up to until they post their photo for the day. No likes, no ads, no filters. Yet, the app's main focus has ultimately reinforced the idea of strategic self-presentation. Whether the alarm has gone off or not, most users tend to wait until their day gets more interesting to post their photos. The fact that this generation has grown up around social media and doesn't know any other way proves that self-presentation has always been something we subconsciously saw. As Marwick stated while discussing the navigation of multiple audiences, "the requirement to present a verifiable, singular identity makes it impossible to differ self-presentation strategies, creating tension as diverse groups of people flock to social network sites." Additionally, impression management is another process that can be seen throughout every social media app. This queues individuals to monitor how people respond to them while presenting themselves. BeReal, for instance, can be an example of this when users choose to post blank or black screens instead of his or her face just to be able to see what others are up to. Despite the countless attempts at making social media more "real," people will continuously refuse to portray their authentic selves. So, to BeReal or to not BeReal? Well, that's up to the user's discretion.