I've been scrolling through Facebook recently and it seems that every other post is about an app called 'Sarahah.' I found out that this is an app that lets you leave anonymous comments for other people. The website says that this app "lets your friends be honest with you" and allows you to "strengthen areas for improvement."

For some reason, this made me laugh. It reminded me of these websites that were popular when I was in middle school such as ask.fm. These websites supposedly promote honesty by allowing people to be anonymous.

Are you kidding me? Honesty? These kinds of apps just allow people to hide behind an unknown identity and say whatever they want. And that can be so dangerous to both the person writing the message and the person receiving it.

I know that some adults are respectful and are mature enough to use this app to build others up. But honestly, if you want to compliment someone, just say it to their face. I know that there is this appeal to a stranger complimenting you, but it can be so harmful when the opposite happens.

We are starting to become less in tune to social cues because we rely on technology so heavily for communication. Add a layer of anonymity and we completely lose touch with the fact that we are interacting with another living, breathing human.

To those that leave messages on this app (and apps like it), I encourage you to step out from behind the mask of being anonymous and say what you want to say or say nothing at all. If it isn't something that you could say to someone's face, it probably shouldn't be said. You won't know how to build effective relationships with other people unless you take the time to learn social cues and learn the reactions of the words you choose to say.

To those that have this app or who really want to get it, I would highly encourage you to delete it/not get it. Focus on the authentic relationships in your life. I know that it feels good when a stranger says something nice about us. Sometimes it can seem more genuine. But you have to learn to accept love from those who care enough to know who you are and care enough for you to know who they are.

I think about downloading this app and then I think about all that time I spent in middle and high school wondering who wrote all these negative things about me and panicking over what others thought of me. I constantly felt like there was a spotlight on me; that I was being watched at all times. I remember people being downright cruel towards me and those I cared about. I still don't know who they are or why they said those things.

I am afraid for those who rely on these apps to validate themselves. I am afraid for those who feel they can only interact with others truthfully when they know their identity won't be revealed.

I want to live in a community where people openly build each other up and take the time to build authentic relationships. Apps like "Sarahah" work to do the exact opposite.