You may remember the Sarahah app — for a while it was one of the most talked-about apps among teens, before it disappeared from the app stores altogether. If your teen ever used it, or you’ve come across the name and wondered what it was, here’s the full story: what Sarahah was, how it worked, why it raised concerns, and what it can teach us about anonymous messaging apps in general.
What Was the Sarahah App?
Sarahah was a social media app that let people send and receive messages, using your phone contacts to connect with friends and send them anonymous comments. It originated in Saudi Arabia and quickly climbed the app store charts as it grew in popularity with teens worldwide.
The app described itself in the App Store as helping people “discover strengths and areas for improvement by receiving honest feedback from your employees and your friends in a private manner.”
How Did It Work?
Setting up an account was simple: users put in a username, password and email address, and ticked a box confirming they’d read the terms and conditions (which were notably short for an app). From there, the interface was straightforward — a search facility to find other users, an inbox, a sent box, and a settings page.
Once registered, people could share their Sarahah profile link on other social platforms and invite friends to leave anonymous feedback. Comments arrived through the app, and users could also search for other people to leave comments for. Some messages even came from people who hadn’t created an account at all.
Teens who used Snapchat could link their Sarahah account so they could share screenshots of comments they’d received with their Snapchat friends — which is largely how the app spread so quickly.
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What Made It a Concern for Parents
A few things about Sarahah worried parents at the time. The Apple Store listed a minimum age of 17, but there was no date-of-birth check anywhere in the sign-up process, so nothing stopped younger users from creating an account.
Because the app let people comment on friends — or strangers — without revealing their identity, it opened the door to problems. Sarahah was similar in concept to Yik Yak, another anonymous messaging app that ran into the same issues. Its developers had originally built it as a way for employees to give bosses honest, anonymous feedback, but like many apps, the original idea was quickly put to other uses once it reached a much younger audience.
There was no way to reply directly to a message within the app itself — people who wanted to respond to a comment often took to other platforms, such as Twitter, using the #sarahah hashtag. It was also possible to leave a message without ever creating an account. At the time, there was no in-app way to report inappropriate messages or threats, which left users with little recourse if things turned nasty. As with most anonymous platforms, the lack of accountability meant some users said things they likely wouldn’t have said under their own name.
Why the App Disappeared
Sarahah was eventually removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, following widespread concern about cyberbullying and harassment linked to its anonymous messaging feature. It’s no longer available to download on either platform. If you’d like more background on its removal, Wayne Denner has written an update on the story.
Even though Sarahah itself is gone, similar anonymous messaging apps have appeared since, and the same safety principles apply. The tips below were written for parents whose teens were using Sarahah, but they’re a useful framework for any anonymous app your child might come across in future.
Lessons for Parents on Anonymous Messaging Apps
#1. Check the privacy settings
With Sarahah, two settings in particular mattered: “Appear in Search” and “Receive from Non-Registered.” Turning both off reduced the chances of messages arriving from strangers. If your teen is using a similar app today, look for equivalent settings and switch them off.
#2. Try it yourself
Ask your teen to walk you through the basics of any app they’re using. Seeing it firsthand is one of the best ways to understand what it actually does and how messages are sent and received.
#3. Have a conversation about internet safety
Remind your teen to only connect with people they genuinely know in real life, and to tell you straight away if they see anything strange or receive an unpleasant message. Encourage them to only share app links privately with true friends, not publicly on social media.
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#4. Talk about how anonymous feedback feels
Have an honest conversation with your kids about anonymous feedback and how it can affect them. It’s easy to be knocked by a negative comment, especially when you don’t know who sent it or why. Ask them to think about the praise or feedback they’ve received from people face-to-face, and whether that feels more meaningful than something sent anonymously through an app.
Sarahah may be gone, but the questions it raised about anonymous apps are still worth talking through with your teen today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sarahah app?
Sarahah was an anonymous messaging app, originally from Saudi Arabia, that let users send and receive anonymous comments and feedback through their phone contacts or a shared profile link.
Is the Sarahah app still available to download?
No. Sarahah was removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and is no longer available to download.
Why was the Sarahah app removed from app stores?
It was removed following concerns about cyberbullying and harassment, which were linked to its anonymous messaging features and the lack of an in-app way to report abusive messages.
Are anonymous messaging apps safe for teens?
Anonymous apps carry a higher risk of bullying and harassment because users can comment without being identified. If your teen uses one, check privacy settings, talk openly about how anonymous feedback can feel, and encourage them to only connect with people they genuinely know.
What should I do if I find an anonymous messaging app on my child’s phone?
Start with a calm conversation rather than an outright ban. Ask your teen to show you how the app works, check the privacy and contact settings together, and talk through what to do if they ever receive an upsetting or threatening message.
Related Articles
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- 10 Tips for Practical Internet Safety for Kids
Save This for Later
Anonymous apps come and go, but the questions parents need to ask stay much the same. Save this guide so you have a ready-made conversation starter next time a new app shows up on your teen’s phone.
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