The network reinventing social media by taking out toxicity and creating a safe online space for marginalized young people

weBelong brings together a community of 10,000 + monthly users to celebrate diversity – swapping “likes” and “followers” for meaningful interactions

Developed by San Francisco tech and wellbeing HoloAsh, weBelong is taking the toxicity out of social networks by swapping “likes”, “followers” and “reactions” for features that facilitate and support meaningful interactions. 

Already home to 10,000 users monthly with over 30,000 downloads, the social media platform has been designed to help teenagers and adolescents who feel like “misfits” to connect with other like-minded people – representing a healthier and more genuine alternative to the likes of Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. 

Launched in 2021, weBelong focuses on championing uniqueness at every turn. The app has already proven popular with the LGBTQ+ community, with features such as pronouns added to every screen to prevent any users being misgendered. 

The platform makes it easy to connect with others based on shared interests, providing a secure space in which people can talk and share problems with a warm, welcoming community. 

Messaging and voice chat tools ensure quick and fast communication, but weBelong also prioritizes privacy – with devices only accessible via a passcode. 

Founder and CEO of HoloAsh Yoshua Kishi – a self-described “social misfit” – said he was inspired to create weBelong due to a lack of authenticity on existing social media channels. 

“Teenagers tend to have self-esteem issues, and features such as ‘likes’ just add to this anxiety,” Yoshua explains. 

“A lot of the current social media sites are just not genuine. But we wanted to change that. On weBelong there are no numbers for likes or followers others have – so it’s easy to express your feelings in a better way. 

“As an ADHD sufferer, I have spent time feeling left out in the past, and I wanted to build a space where ‘social misfits’ could come together, talk and discuss things. 

“On weBelong you can find people you can truly connect with – it’s a social media site that actually helps people.

“Our users have already told us they feel so much better after using the app.”