Understanding what VSCO is will help you know how the app compares to other social apps. While people share pictures and videos on the platform, the algorithm is not determined by likes and comments like other apps.
This piece will uncover what VSCO is all about, its features, and why it’s popular among teens. We’ll also answer what VSCO girl is and how the name came about.
What is VSCO?
VSCO is a photo and video editing app that lets users design and share visually rich content using professional-grade tools. Started in 2011, the platform is famous for its minimalist design and peculiarity in social communication, which gives preference to creativity instead of public approval.
Unlike other apps that thrive on comments, likes, and followers, VSCO provides a place where users can be themselves while exploring visual styles.
Key features of VSCO
VSCO has incredible features that users can employ to meet their photo and video standards. It’s an app that offers users the chance to edit their visual images based on their preference.
1. Presets and filters
It is the most famous for its filter options which gives you the chance to pick the design you want. These presets are meant to imitate classic film looks and also provide mood, texture, and tone to the photos. While VSCO has filters for the free version, it offers more options with greater capabilities on its premium plan.
2. Advanced photo editing tools
VSCO also has an extensive line of editing options that enables users to fine tune their images to their liking.
Users can adjust exposure, contrast, saturation, temperature, clarity, skin tone, and grain to fit the standards they want. These tools offer users the chance to tweak their pictures to their liking where it’s for fun or professional reasons.
3. Video editing
VSCO also allows users to edit their videos with preset filters and settings. With a premium subscription, creators are able to easily edit short videos to match their standards.
4. VSCO grid
Instead of the standard feeds with public likes and comments, VSCO has a clean minimalistic “Grid” to share their edited photos.
This grid is an individual portfolio and represents an individual’s visual identity. It’s meant to be inspiration oriented instead of attention seeking as a way to curb the pressure of social validation.
5. Journals and visual storytelling
VSCO Journals enable users to tell long form stories with images and text, similar to a blog layout. This feature is ideal for users that want to record experiences, create visual narratives, or share projects.
Gain peace of mind by tracking your child’s usage of VSCO with our advanced features.
How is VSCO different than Instagram?
While VSCO and Instagram are all about visual content, their core purposes and user experiences are different. Instagram thrives as a social app that relies on likes, comments, and followers.
VSCO provides a more personal space where one can edit and share photos without being limited by public views.
It is suitable for people who are interested in aesthetics, while Instagram suits users who care more about the performance, trends, and social interaction.
| Feature | VSCO | |
| Social interaction | Based on followers, likes, and comments | No likes, follower,s and comments needed |
| Main goal | Engagement and visibility | Creativity and aesthetics |
| Profile structure | Public feeds that have heavy interactions | Mood driven |
| Content discovery | Algorithm based | Minimalist portfolio |
How to use VSCO effectively?
VSCO has easy to use features that makes it simple for even beginners to enjoy the aesthetics of the platform. To understand how to use VSCO efficiently, you need to follow the steps below:
Steps:
1. To get started, download and install the VSCO app on your device.
2. Now log in using your account details.
3. Tap on the plus button to import your videos and photos from your device media.
4. Ensure your edit by using features like contrast and exposure.
5. Now share your edit on your VSCO grid.
Tips for building a VSCO gallery:
- Maintain a consistent aesthetic: Keep your editing to a minimum, and look for filters that fit your own look or style.
- Curate your content thoughtfully: Do not upload each and every picture you capture. Only add images that bring out the mood you want and match your catalogue.
- Use journals to tell stories: Use VSCO’s Journal feature to post collections of pictures that tell a story.
- Browse the discover page for inspiration: Visit VSCO’s Discover section to watch how others try out different options for editing, positioning photos, and sharing stories.
- Edit in batches for consistency: When editing several pictures from the same event or shoot, try using the same editing settings. It keeps the content organized, turning your profile into an artistic collection.
- Stay true to your style: On VSCO, users support each other’s creativity instead of competing against each other. Find your own inspiration and create your own style.
VSCO’s user base and cultural phenomenon
Many teenagers and young adults use VSCO to express themselves without having to deal with the pressure of traditional social apps.
One of the reasons why most users appreciate VSCO is due to their emphasis on authenticity and creativity. This helps inspire minimalistic aesthetics that young people appreciate.
It editing tools and filters make it possible for users to create something special, whether it’s photos or videos. Schools, artists, and young creators who appreciate minimalism and unique styles use the app for different purposes.
What is a VSCO girl?
The term “VSCO girl” became a popular internet stereotype in 2019, referring to teenage girls who embrace a fun, beachy aesthetic inspired by the VSCO app. Often, you’ll see large T-shirts, colorful scrunchies, shiny Hydro Flasks, Birkenstocks, shell necklaces, and reusable metal straws in this kind of look.
Although VSCO played a big role in the VSCO girl trend, the trend wasn’t started by the app itself. The name came as a result of Gen Z, who started a subculture to connect with each other.
Is VSCO safe for kids?
While VSCO is a great place for kids to showcase their fashion sense and aesthetics, it should not be used without proper supervision. Parents need to check the type of content their kids post, what they access, and the amount of time they spend on the platform.
Discoverability by strangers
When your kid signs up for VSCO, their profile automatically becomes public. This means that anything they post is easily accessible by everybody.
With such unregulated information, strangers can use it for the wrong purpose which might directly or indirectly affect the kid.
Exposure to mature or inappropriate content
Most content on VSCO is not kid-friendly and might need parental supervision. It does not have content filters, so your kids are more likely to access inappropriate content.
Ensure you know the type of content your kids access so that you guarantee their general well being.
No Built-In Parental Controls
Parents should pay close attention to VSCO’s lack of parental controls. The app doesn’t have any features to help parents manage their kids’ experiences when they’re using it.
As a result, parents have a harder time monitoring how their kids use the app or when they encounter something inappropriate. The VSCO is not safe for our kids.
Protect your teen from potential risks on VSCO
Your teen’s safety and well-being should always come first. No matter which app they’re using, you need to ensure they’re exposed only to appropriate, age-safe content.
That means you need to find a reliable parental control tool that can help you monitor your kids’ VSCO access more efficiently. A parental control tool like FlashGet Kids might be what you need to ensure you manage your kid’s online access.
– FlashGet Kids comes with incredible features like:
- Screen mirroring: With this feature, parents can see what their kids are doing without them knowing. This feature will help parents know what kids post and access on apps like VSCO.
- Usage reports: The usage report feature helps parents know how much time kids spend on apps like VSCO.
- Screen time: Parents can use this feature to set the amount of time kids are allowed to use their devices. You can set when kids should take breaks so that they don’t overuse their devices.
- Alerts: This feature helps parents know when kids try to bypass any restrictions that have been set.
- App blocker: Parents can put measures in place to block certain apps like VSCO during certain hours. They can also decide to block the app permanently if they feel it poses a danger to kids’ well-being.
Conclusion
VSCO is a great platform if you’re trying to encourage creativity and aesthetics. Without likes and comments metrics, the platform is the best place to share your creative ideas without feeling judged or pressured.
However, like other apps, you need to monitor the type of content kids post and what they access. With tools like FlashGet Kids, you can monitor your kids more efficiently and ensure they’re doing the right thing at the right time. This app comes with features like screen mirroring to give you an insight into what kids do on their devices.
