POLYGRAM: An App of the Future or Perpetuating the Need for Instant Validation?

      The newest app in the world of social media, Polygram, takes self-justification to new heights. For those already stressing about whether or not to post a photo on platforms like Instagram, you can test it out on Polygram to see people’s emotions while viewing your photo or video. Using facial detection, the app is able to map the responses of those viewers by turning their actual facial expressions into the coinciding emojis. Also available are analytics where users can filter their viewers by geographic locations or by specific demographics to better understand their target audience. In an effort to prevent screenshots, Polygram has developed an alternative where you can choose to cover your photos in a cloud-like setting so viewers may only “wipe clean” a portion of the screen at a time.  

      Similar to the filter options on other social media platforms, Polygram has an augmented reality makeup option (designed by plastic surgeons) with the goal of making you look more attractive, thus creating ‘better’ pictures.  It is not uncommon for people to edit or filter their photos in the attempt to enhance them, but with Polygram promoting this feature as one of their main selling points, they are promoting the idea that fake beauty sells and is the key for self-validation.

      The iOS app just launched after raising $2.1 million in seed funding, and co-founder Faryar Ghazanfari has high hopes of Polygram surpassing Instagram and Snapchat. It will be a difficult battle, however, with the constant competition, especially if other major platforms mimic Polygram’s innovative emotion detection features. “Influencers and content creators are the oxygen in this ecosystem,” says Ghazanfari. “We have white glove service for influencers, with full-time employees that just create custom features for them.” He hopes to make Polygram a permanent player in the social media game by recruiting major influencers who will bring their own audiences with them.

      There is no doubt Polygram has created state of the art software that has been unseen in social media until now. Whether they fail to gain mass traction or not, their inventive ideas will no doubt live on. Despite this technology and all the available features that Polygram offers, it begs the questions, “What are future generations becoming about?” and “Is this all really worth it?” Only time will tell…