Venmo is becoming a social media of sorts by keeping tabs on friends’ payments. Unless opted out, profiles and transactions are publicly visible, leading some young people to use it as a way to see what friends are up to. (When it involves sharing money, that is.) Because it’s simply a peer-to-peer payment platform, Venmo naturally lacks ads and influencers, which some now say is evoking a nostalgic feel for simpler times when social feeds centered on connecting with friends. It also adds an enticing element of viewing content that feels slightly off-limits—even if users don’t engage with their Venmo feed, young users find it fascinating to see what former acquaintances, or friends of a friend, are up to. (The Atlantic)
📊 YPulse data: 34% of 18-24-year-olds have used Venmo
