Ever heard of Yubo? The social media app may have gone unnoticed on your radar throughout the past few years, but don’t be fooled; it’s different from the rest and is specifically targetting the teenage demographic.
Introducing Yubo:
Hailing from Paris, Yubo CEO Sacha Lazimi has taken on the tremedous task of trying to put back the “social” element of social media.
The largest social media platforms today – think Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat – are performance-based networks. The focus resonates on racking up a popularity score in the form of likes, comments and followers when uploading a photo, video or post.
“Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat… everything is fake,”co-founder and CEO Sacha Lazimi said to TechCrunch. He made it clear to the tech website that Yubo wants to change.
Formerly known as “Yellow” the platform (which feels very much like a cross between Snapchat and Tinder) currently boasts over 20 million users. According to TechCrunch, the app has been growing steadily throughout the past few years and now has “close to a million users” using the app on a daily basis.
As long as you’re over the age of thirteen Yubo allows users to create a profile and upload content, before connecting you with other users within your area.
Like Tinder, a user can swipe left and right on users you want to dismiss or friend. Lazimi explains Yubo isn’t a dating app and that most users on the platform rarely meet up in person. Apparently, it is modelled this way to allow you to find friends with similar interests.
You can then make groups with your friends, have conversations about shared hobbies and passions, and livestream your day. In-app purchases grant you the ability to remove ads, boost your profile’s visibility, get unlimited reverse swipes and the list goes on.
The only issue?!? It’s been called Tinder for Teens.
According to Zift Parent Portal, the app “…it was created and marketed as an app for teens to connect for relationship or friendship, though previously it’s been called by many reviewers as ‘Tinder for Teens’ due to the ability to swipe for matches with strangers.”
Yikes!
That being said, the platform is also working to introduce safety measures and have recently introduced a new algorithm, which prevents users from sharing inappropriate images.
Overall, Yubo is striving to create a safer online community where teens aren’t at risk as they explore their personal interests and passions.
We’ll be watching this app closely, so check back soon for more updates and information on Yubo.
For more information on how you can download the app, check out Yubo’s website.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Anushé Samee and Laura Kell.