Venting Apps
Ivy Griffin
There’s an app for just about everything at this point so it should come as no surprise that there are apps for venting. When it comes to our teens, the idea of letting them venture into yet another unknown social media realm can feel daunting. So here are a few things to keep in mind if your teen asks to download a venting app, or shares that they have.
First and foremost, keep in mind that the fact that your teen is wanting to express and communicate their thoughts and feelings is wonderful. A large part of therapy actually works to support your teen in learning how to identify, verbalize and communicate their thoughts and feelings. That being said, venting apps can be a mixed bag. There are people using these venting apps that truly want to connect and support, but unfortunately there are also those who choose to bring negativity into the space including cyberbullies, trolls, hackers, scammers or predators. If your teen mentions they want to use or download a venting app it may be prudent to use the opportunity to have a refresher conversation with them about what your family’s rules, boundaries, and expectations are in terms of the following:
Sharing personal information (identifying information, location, photos/videos)
Interacting w/strangers
Expectations for when they encounter inappropriate behavior (Can they talk to you? Will they get in trouble?)
What apps/chats are approved/vetted-not clicking on unknown links
Use of webcams
Money
Navigating requests from others (for money, images, items, meetings, videochat)
Signs/red flags that the space may be unsafe
Feeling uncomfortable
Interactions where personal boundaries are repeatedly crossed (making sexual jokes, persistently requesting pictures, etc.)
Interactions where the conversation is repeatedly redirected to the other person
Interactions where the other person never talks about themselves but constantly asks questions
Competitiveness, rudeness, gaslighting, or love-bombing
Contradictions in other’s statements
I also recommend researching the specific app they are interested in using and discussing it with them so that you both can make an informed decision. Remember, we are working to teach our teens to become adults, to think critically and learn how to make decisions on their own.
If after you research you still feel uncomfortable, a compromise with your teen might be an app for journaling or mood tracking. These apps can be helpful in supporting your teen in recognizing patterns in negative thought processes but also allows a safe space to vent-although without the social component. It may be prudent to find out from your teen how important the social component is as sometimes we just need a safe space to vent and other times we want to connect with someone else who understands or has been there themselves.
With warm regards,
Megan Bell, LMFT # 114303
Thrive Therapy & Counseling
2131 Capitol Ave, Suite 306
Sacramento, CA, 95816