The rapid rise of Lemon8 by Bytedance (parent company of TikTok) again highlights the increasing challenges for parents, guardians, and teachers to stay ahead, or at least keep up with, what is happening online.
Lemon8 has quickly become a popular platform in the US and is expected to gain momentum worldwide. While Lemon8 is not yet available for download in Australia, its success in the US suggests that it will soon arrive on our shores. The app has already ranked in the top 10 apps on the US App Store's Top Charts. Its rapid rise in popularity among young creatives underscores the importance of staying informed about emerging social media trends and platforms.
Comparable to a cross between Instagram and Pinterest, Lemon8 is a cutting-edge platform for creators to share their experiences through photos and short videos, focusing on wellness, travel, food, and beauty. To create a post, you'll need to give Lemon8 access to your photos, which can be done either selectively or by granting access to your entire camera roll. Once you've selected your desired photos or videos for your post, you can choose from various templates that align with the theme of your content. Lemon8's For You page bears a striking resemblance to Instagram's Explore page. With a focus on photo-sharing, brand advertising, and selling an aesthetic, Lemon8's interface and influencer posting habits closely mirror those of Instagram. One significant difference between the two platforms is that Lemon8 lacks a user verification system. However, with the app preparing for an official launch in May, this will create a need for verifying users, which may prompt the development of a verification system on Lemon8.
The inner workings of Lemon8's algorithm remain somewhat of a mystery. However, according to The New York Times, ByteDance employs the same algorithm on Lemon8 as on TikTok. As a result, engaging with Lemon8's For You page, liking posts that resonate with you, and ignoring content that doesn't align with your interests can help train your account's algorithm.
As with most social media apps, Lemon8 collects and shares user data. When signing up for the app, Lemon8 collects profile information such as your phone number, username, email address, and gender. The app also tracks your interactions with posts to curate your algorithm and personalize your experience. Lemon8 uses some of this information to target you with specific ads, similar to other social media platforms.
It's worth noting that Lemon8's privacy policy indicates that the app may share information with other members or affiliates of ByteDance. This raises concerns about data security and the possibility of personal advertising being streamed across your TikTok and Lemon8 accounts.
It's essential to be aware of these privacy risks and proactively protect your data online. This includes reviewing the privacy policies of any social media app you use, limiting the amount of personal information you share online, and using strong passwords and two-factor authentication to secure your accounts.
Remember, Apps that look safe and fun soon become platforms that share inappropriate or confronting content. As we've seen repeatedly with other social media apps, they can soon pose significant risks to young people. Risks can include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and privacy breaches. It's crucial to stay informed about emerging platforms and trends and to take proactive steps to protect children online.