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I’m trying to get into the app but I am still stuck on the loading screen
Bugs need fixed
I can never enter my birthday because there is a bug that adds a huge space that can’t be deleted. Guess I will just be deleting the app again.
Wish I could rate it lower than 1 star
The moderation is ridiculous. More than half of the posts get removed by admins, usually without valid reason. Disgusting cash grab of the mentally ill. They don’t want to help us they just want our money.
Lies
It’s says it’s open for 16+ but upon downloading it, it basically says I have to be at least 18 in order to actually do stuff. Why lie about it and waist people’s time if they can’t even use it?! I just wanted a way to vent about my life mannn!!! This succckkssss!!! 😭😭😭
Harmful app
Not only do I think it is a bad app, I think it can actually be harmful and is not being used as intended. I believe it could have been a good app for community building and peer support, and I saw a few instances of people supporting each other, but most of it was negative, harmful, and at times extremely inappropriate. First, the app has some benefits. Peer-to-peer support apps have been shown to “have a positive effect on clinical and personal recovery outcomes” (Yuan et al., 2026). Many users of these support apps reported feeling more connected to others who may be struggling with similar mental health symptoms. It also reduced negative sentiment toward mental health professionals and encouraged treatment (Yuan et al., 2026).
Second, microtransactions negatively affected my view of the app. Microtransactions have been shown to be associated with gaming and gambling disorders, as they release bursts of dopamine and motivate the teen to engage more with that activity (Raneri et al., 2022). Microtransactions are also connected to novelty, anticipation, uncertainty, and reward seeking (Laser, J.A. & Nicotera, N. (2021). The adolescent brain is wired to seek new experiences, and microtransactions that boost your post to the top fit that pattern.
Next, the number of active adults is a concern for young people's safety on the app. I encountered many older people posting suggestive comments and pictures on the app, and where there is prolonged contact between adolescents and adults on these apps, there is always potential for cyber grooming. Many adolescents lack digital literacy and are very emotionally vulnerable, making them a population easy for predators to exploit. At least 1 in 10 young people experience victimization on messaging apps where adults are allowed, and this can have huge effects on anxiety, depression, and behavior challenges in the adolescents affected (Schittenhelm et al., 2025).
TalkLike has the potential to provide community and peer-to-peer support, but the negative aspects outweigh the benefits. The app could be used to help young people feel less alone and connect with others who understand what they are experiencing. However, these benefits were overshadowed by harmful and inappropriate content, the use of microtransactions that encourage continued engagement, and the presence of adults interacting with young users in concerning ways. An app designed for young people should prioritize their safety and well-being rather than encourage excessive engagement and expose them to potentially harmful posts and people.
Second, microtransactions negatively affected my view of the app. Microtransactions have been shown to be associated with gaming and gambling disorders, as they release bursts of dopamine and motivate the teen to engage more with that activity (Raneri et al., 2022). Microtransactions are also connected to novelty, anticipation, uncertainty, and reward seeking (Laser, J.A. & Nicotera, N. (2021). The adolescent brain is wired to seek new experiences, and microtransactions that boost your post to the top fit that pattern.
Next, the number of active adults is a concern for young people's safety on the app. I encountered many older people posting suggestive comments and pictures on the app, and where there is prolonged contact between adolescents and adults on these apps, there is always potential for cyber grooming. Many adolescents lack digital literacy and are very emotionally vulnerable, making them a population easy for predators to exploit. At least 1 in 10 young people experience victimization on messaging apps where adults are allowed, and this can have huge effects on anxiety, depression, and behavior challenges in the adolescents affected (Schittenhelm et al., 2025).
TalkLike has the potential to provide community and peer-to-peer support, but the negative aspects outweigh the benefits. The app could be used to help young people feel less alone and connect with others who understand what they are experiencing. However, these benefits were overshadowed by harmful and inappropriate content, the use of microtransactions that encourage continued engagement, and the presence of adults interacting with young users in concerning ways. An app designed for young people should prioritize their safety and well-being rather than encourage excessive engagement and expose them to potentially harmful posts and people.
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