We may have BeReal, Instagram, and Snapchat, but what is the new app that over 500 Burroughs students have downloaded on their phones? “Gas” is the anonymous poll-based social app that challenges users to answer questions about their friends and their peers, with only positive replies allowed on the platform. Students who get voted receive a notification every time,  only knowing the anonymous peer’s gender and grade level.

Around one-third of students decided to give the app a try, and while some love the idea, others have mixed feelings about Gas. 

Senior Leilani Berry enjoys the positivity the app brings. 

“I think it’s a great app that allows fellow students to compliment one another without being embarrassed because it’s anonymous,” said Berry. Berry found out about the app from her friend group, as they all had it downloaded before she did.

Junior Jacob Fernandez also appreciates the intentions behind Gas. 

“I think that the app is interesting and very open, it also lets us express our feelings without the person knowing which helps ease the fear that shy people have and let’s them compliment freely,” said Fernandez.

While students like Fernandez and Berry have mostly good thoughts about the app, some students such as sophomore Nevaeh Hall and junior Leopoldo Vasquez are on the fence. 

Hall believes the app can get boring due to repetitiveness.  

“Honestly, it was a hook at first but it was pretty dull after a while,” said Hall. Because the polls are the same questions over and over again, and the names that show up are typically the same, this makes it difficult to compliment a broad range of peers. 

Recently, a national hoax went around that the Gas app was a trafficking site. This raised some questions in Vasquez’ mind. 

“The app sounds too good to be true because people love hearing positive messages about themselves, but when you think about it, where does the personal information go to?” asked Vasquez.

Because no verification is required for someone to say they’re a part of the school, anyone is able to join the app and see student names at Burroughs. Thankfully, students aren’t able to message each other or track each other’s personal information on the app.

It is fun and entertaining to spread anonymous happiness; however, technology is limitless so be careful before you decide to hop onto the trend of being on Gas!