I sat behind the desk and typed, “Whisper app confessions” into Google’s search box.

A few minutes into my research, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this app could raise serious concerns for any protective parent.

A few of the confessions were relatable enough to take me back to my teenage years. Where I’d scream, “Nobody understands me! I hate my life,” as I stormed up the stairs. However, I felt rattled by more than half, which made me declare defiantly that no parent should ever find the Whisper app on their kid’s phone.

At this time, serious debates surround the Whisper app confessions.

But before we dive into details, we’d like to introduce you to the platform your kid is probably using.

The Whisper App: Overview

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Whisper is an anonymous social networking app where anyone can divulge their deepest, darkest secrets and thoughts to a sea of faceless people.

The audience, in return, can voyeuristically read and respond to any confession that catches their fancy.

Whisper launched in March 2012, and 2 years later, the company raked in over $200 million.

According to Michael Heyward, the founder of Whisper, the company has over 2.8 billion page views and has raised more than $24 million in funding.

Whisper Website

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Whisper app confessions are exclusive to Android and Apple platforms.

There’s an official website, but it has limited functionality. It doesn’t allow the posting of confessions. Nevertheless, the site is a massive database of whispers, latest stories, and favorite stories.

A few favorite posts include “Couples Confess: We Are Giving an Open Relationship A Shot,” “These Airbnb Confessions Will Make Your Jaw Drop,” and “True Life: I’m A Feminist And A Male,”

How It Works

On Whisper, there are no user accounts or profiles. You sign up and start sharing. Users post confessions (called whispers), by superimposing text on a photo.

The final result is similar to a meme, Instagram overlay, or stylized card.

You can either allow the app to automatically assign a picture based on the contents of your text or, upload your own.

Shortly after your confession is live, other users within a radius of a mile to 10 miles, can read and respond.

User Base

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The app’s taglinetagline​​​ is, “With Whisper, you’re free to anonymously share your thoughts with the world.”

As a result, it has seen a surge in growth and media attention. Recently, it was dubbed a mashup between Twitter and Snapchat. Each day, the official website displays multiple grids of whispers shelved under several categories.

They include Experts and Workplace, Health and Wellness, Sex and Dating, Love and Relationships, Student Life, and Popular Posts.

Although Whisper is for people of all ages, it’s a favorite digital hangout for teenagers. Their confessions range from relationship woes and secret thoughts to concerning and controversial statements.

Whisper App Confessions Features

What makes Whisper marketable and appealing is that your identity is not required to use the service.

It doesn’t follow the profile and followers structure like other social media apps. Neither does it ask for photos or email addresses.

However, Whisper requires access to your location to be completely functional, like creating groups or adding a school.


Whisper’s unique selling point is that there is complete anonymity and privacy. It serves as a platform to free your thoughts and feelings.


People use the platform to disclose amusing observations, unload a profoundly personal secret, reach out for advice, or see if there’s anyone to whom they can relate.

Nevertheless, not all whispers are wholesome and appropriate.

Whisper has earned four million users — who are all anonymous to each other — and collectively spend millions of minutes on the app each month.


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To unlock complete functionality, you are prompted to enable your location. That is the only way to view another Whisper app confession in your area.

By using the “Nearby” tab, you can specify your radius; i.e., within 10 miles, 5 miles, or even 1 mile away.

Once you enable location services, your exact location will generate alongside your confession, which inevitably takes your anonymity down a notch.

However, you can choose to make your location generic. This option will show your state as opposed to your town. But if you don’t want to broadcast your neighborhood, you can hit the “don’t show my location” button.

Chat Feature




Nevertheless, not all whispers are wholesome and appropriate.


Content Categories

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Whisper categorizes messages under a subject. A few include NSFW, Drugs, Alcohol, and Meet Up. Some people use the latter for Tinder-esque purposes.

Under the Meet Up category, there are currently whispers that read, “I need a female masturbation buddy,” and “I want sex — hit me up if you do too.”

Nonetheless, there are wholesome categories such as Parenting, Lol, and Family.

Whisper app confessions for family-friendly categories include, “The Most Embarrassing Wardrobe Malfunctions to Ever Happen in Public” and “Parents Recall: The Time I Acted Upset, But Was Really Impressed When My Child.”

The content category may be a haven for the curious mind. But without a moderator, it’s inappropriate for kids.

Customer Reviews

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Whisper app confessions have several customers reviews and different ratings on Android and Apple platforms. On Google ​​Play, it’s rated 4.0 out of a 5-stars.

According to Gbooch, who is a teenager, the app creates a conversational space for people to weigh in on social commentaries.

He firmly believes that it encourages people to express themselves in a judgment-free zone. Gbooch gave the app a 4.0 out of a 5-star rating and acknowledged that it has mature content.

On the other hand, PBVA, an adult, categorically stated that the app is not for kids or teens.

A significant concern in his review was with the “Nearby” tab, which allows users to see whispers from people who are within their proximity. He claims that even if you disable the geolocation, questionable people can still determine your city, state, and country.

The user believes that the app has “no socially redeeming value,” and kids and young adults are not mature enough to use it. PBVA gave Whisper 1-star out of 5-stars.

Important Concerns: Answered

Parents are within their right to have questions and concerns about whisper app confessions.

Although we may be unable to answer every single one of them, we will explore the most significant and most frequently asked questions.

Is The Whisper App Truly Anonymous?

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Whisper claims to help you to share your thoughts with the world anonymously.

However, in describing their app, the company stated, “building lasting, meaningful relationships in a community built around trust and honesty.”

Translation: This app is only as anonymous as you make it.

While your exact location is hidden, a combination of the location and chat feature could make it easier for someone to try and make physical contact.

Besides, there have been reports of whispers marked, “we’ll keep it a secret” attached to specific cities or towns — giving people a general idea of the whisperer’s location.

So, are Whisper app confessions anonymous? We can’t say yes with confidence.

Are There Age Restrictions On The App?

Yes. The terms and conditions specify that users must be 17 years of age or older to use Whisper.

The app is rated 17+ in the Apple app store and given a “high maturity” content rating for Android. The rating is appropriate since the app is for an older audience.

However, kids younger than the specified age can easily download the app and use it without setting off any security system.

That said, it’s very probable for predators in disguise to talk to underage kids. For this reason, it’s essential for parents to restrict apps by rating in app stores.

Is Whisper Okay For Kids?

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No. And we may not even recommend it to an older teen.

There are honest and wholesome confessions about everyday life, funny mishaps, and embarrassing moments. However, there tends to be mature content, as well.

Under the Meet Up and NSFW categories, confessions range from half-naked selfies to detailed sex tales.

Some use the Whisper app confession as a hook-up platform. They willingly reveal their identities to meet up for some adult time. And although Whisper wasn’t intended to be a hook-up app, the location-based functionality facilitates this kind of usage.

In brief, Whisper’s audience includes all walks of life and it certainly has more than its fair share of mature content.

Is There Some Moderation On The App?

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Yes. According to CEO Heyward, the company has a team of moderators based in Manila, Philippines.

He states that they “look at everything,” be it with human eyes or with algorithms.

It’s important to note that the fact that whispers are filtered doesn’t mean the platform is a safe space for kids or teenagers. Whisper app confessions are not for kids.

For instance, an explicit confession would pass through review. That’s because it falls under the content category, “Meet Up” or “NSFW.”

Also, it meets Heyward’s goal of a “creating a compassionate and supportive society” where users can be themselves.

Given that anyone can say anything, kids should not be part of the audience.

What Happens To The Unscrupulous People Whispering?

While users on the app are anonymous to each other, they are not unknown to Whisper.

The company can ban users through the random 40-character identifier, generated each time a new user signs up.

According to community guidelines, Whisper is not a place for trolls or bullying or a place to be mean to each other. Whisper classifies users under trusted, untrusted, and banned.


Whisper app confessions also work with law enforcement. For instance, if someone confesses to a serious crime, the company would work with the police by complying with all legal processes.

How We Reviewed Whisper
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To provide you with first-hand experience with Whisper app confessions and its users, we downloaded the app and used it for a considerable amount of time.

We sent out whispers — both factual and fiction — and evaluated responses.

Our whispers ranged from innocent, relatable messages to a cry for help. Specifically, we wrote about feeling alone in the world, and immediately received several responses which were sweet and encouraging in nature.

We also received a direct message through the chat feature.

The person seemed friendly and concerned. And yes, we explained it was an experiment. However, the question that lingered in our minds was alarming.

If we had truly been a vulnerable teen, how would the conversation have ended if the person was a predator?

How It Compares To Other Apps

There are a few Whisper competitors on the market. These apps are also anonymous to help foster relationships with strangers to create a community of compassionate minds.

Here are our notable picks.


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Image via: ​Omegle

Created by Leif K-Brooks and launched in 2009, Omegle is perhaps, the biggest and most popular anonymous chat platform on the internet.

Unlike Whisper, you don’t need to sign up. Also, personal credentials are required. Anyone can access the website on a device, and instantly, begins chatting with a random stranger.

Like Whisper, users are anonymous to each other, unless you choose to tell someone who you are.

Omegle doesn’t have an overall app rating since it’s a website. But, a user gave the site 4.0 out of 5-stars.

She liked the concept but had a problem with how unsupervised kids could catch the attention of pedophiles.


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Spout is a free, anonymous, location-based chat app that allows you to express yourself and connect with others around you freely.

With the help of Spout, you can share anything that’s on your mind, seek advice, ask questions, and see what others are doing.

Similar to Whisper, you can adjust your location radius to view nearby posts or around the world.

However, the app is 100 percent profile and username free. It currently has 2.5 stars out a 5-star rating on the Apple store.

Nikkimariie, a user, also liked the concept but “like every other anonymous app,” she claims that unscrupulous people and negativity soon infiltrated it. She rated it 2.0 out of 5-stars.

Yik Yak

Yik Yak is a social media mobile app introduced in 2013.

The app allows the people to build and view discussion threads within a five mile or eight kilometers radius. It bears similarities to other anonymous sharing apps such as Spout.

However, it differs from Whisper because it’s used to communicate with those near you. Users can opt to turn off their location.

Nevertheless, if someone clicks on your message, they can view an accurate map to your location.

The app has individual ratings and not an overall app rating. D​​avid, a user, gave the app 1.0 out of 5-stars.

He states that since the app lacks proper moderation, it has caused an increase in cyberbullying, racism, and sexual harassment.

What Every Parent Should Know
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Whisper is a social confessional app that allows people to post whatever is on their minds.

Self-expression is encouraged on the platform unless it’s illegal and threatening.

Additionally, Whisper app confessions support private communications in which users can exchange images and personal information.

All too often, people use the app to meet strangers. That explains why users need to confirm that they’re at least 17 years old.

In a nutshell, Whisper is not a terrible app. But it’s 100 percent inappropriate for kids and teenagers.

Have you ever tried the Whisper app or another confession app? Tell us how you feel about these types of apps in the comments!


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