We have so many different types of social media: some for work, some for play, and some for family. But, what about a social media platform to serve as a confessional- get things off your chest?
Vent is an app which allows you to join groups of common interests, make friends, help a brother out, and talk about anything that’s on your mind. By using multiple in-app features, one can connect to others and build an healthy online community.
Vent’s Purpose
According to Vent’s “Community Guidelines”, the app, “…strives to create a safe and supportive place where people, through feelings and shared experiences, help each other navigate through sometimes rough waters”.
Although an app like this may seem to be a magnet for constant complaining and trash- talking, Vent takes a notable outlook to sharing feelings online in that, “Your expression generates energy that may inspire others embarking on their own journey of self-discovery and happiness”. Although it’s expected to have some negative posting, Vent tries to focus on the positive, and that people have the potential to empower others through the use of words and mutual feelings.
Features such as “emotion sliders”, news feed tabs, groups, and virtual diaries help bring these ideas of self-expression and community across the platform.
“Emotion Slider” Gives More Expression to Your Status
Making a status on Vent is a little bit different than other social media platforms. You first choose an emotion from the “emotion slider”. It’s a quick and easy way to express yourself by selecting a feeling first and then writing a post based off of it.
These are just 4 examples of the different kinds of feelings you can choose on the “emotion slider”, including a seasonal one for Halloween:
When you’ve posted a status, people can either “favorite” it, comment on it, or interact with the post by selecting a rage of emotion buttons. This gives you a wider range of interacting with others than simply “liking” the post. For example, a post that I made tagged the “empty” emotion, because I was sad about medical news. Options to react to this “vent” included “HUG”, “YNA” (you’re not alone), and “H4U” (here for you).
Unique News Feed Makes it Easy to Communicate with Both Friends and Others
Unlike other apps, Vent is completely open. Although you can “follow” people to see their contact first, everyone’s account is inherently open to the public. Therefore, viewing content is a little bit different than a platform like Facebook. When looking at statuses, you have three tabs.
The first tab is called the “feed”.This is where all the people you follow post. The second one is called “latest”, which shows all new posts called “vents”, regardless of if you follow them or not. The third tab is called “groups”. In here, they have many different types of groups, from video games to depression support groups. You can’t post into the group unless you join it, but you can always view who posts in it. Once you subscribe to a group, it will automatically show up in your feed, along with the other people you follow.
“Groups” Build up Communities
These groups are very beneficial for those who want to be part of a tight-knit community. For example, I’m part of a video game group called “Animal Crossing”. This specific group acts more like a forum, where the players or “mayors” come to communicate, ask questions, and help provide answers and support. A feature of this game is that it connects to them, so you can invite people into your game or “town”. Each town comes with unique townsfolk, fruit, and different types of flowers, fish, bugs, you name it. A lot of the time, people use Vent to invite people into their town so they can play mini games together and trade different items. Ultimately, through the use of a small but tight-knit gaming group like this, users find people they can play games with and build friendships with them over time.
Virtual Diary
In a social media platform open for everyone to view, sometimes it’s hard to keep your privacy. However, Vent has a unique approach to privacy on their app. Under your profile, there’s a “My Diary” tab right next to your “Feed”. Diaries act just like statuses- complete with an “emotion slider” and an area to type out your “vent”- except it’s set to private. These types of “vents” have a dedicated feed, meaning that it will only show up if you scroll over to the “My Diary” section. This was created to keep track of personal thoughts and feelings, without letting the whole world know. This is a great alternative to a paper diary, because, you know, there’s never a good enough hiding spot to guard it from prying eyes!
Vent’s Purpose Explained
Vent is designed to be a casual platform, where users use screen names or just first names to armor themselves against judgement- where no one really knows who you really are (unless you tell them). Users then use their semi-anonymity to get things off their chest or to help others. You’re more willing to reach out to others without the fear of being denied or pushed away. Because of this, Vent allows you to make different types of friends- ones that can keep you accountable and will be there to support you.
Final Thoughts
With many unique features designed to pull communities together, this app provides a safe and supportive community to those who don’t necessarily want to share feelings on other social media platforms. Many, including myself, feel vulnerable when trying to be personable online. In a virtual world where everyone’s “eyes are on you”, the pressure to appear calm and collected at all times can stack up. Vent allows you to really get things off your chest without fearing the judgement of others’, whether it be classmates, co-workers, or family members. Sometimes, all we really need is a little something (or someone) to vent to.
Wordpress by Kat Strysky 