Sticks and Stones
According to its founder, Juicy Campus was started to give college students an "unfiltered forum for college kids to talk about whatever they wanted and share funny stories and crazy high jinks." Unfortunately, this site has also become a place where students post discussion threads which may invite rude or hurtful comments about others such as:
- What do you think of [John Smith]
- HOT RAs
- Girls here are snobby
- Racism is good
Posters to Juicy Campus do not have to prove that their comments are true, even when those comments accuse people of immoral or illegal behavior and damage their reputation on campus. Some students who have been slandered on Juicy Campus worry that their reputations may be damaged with future employers as well.
As parents and guardians it is important that you talk to your children now about the comments that they make online. Comments by them, and about them, may have devastating effects on their lives and leave a trail which may influence opinions from future admissions officers, dorm mates, employers, and even friends. After all, sticks and stones may break your bones, but at least bones heal! Cruel words and insults said over the Internet? Those can last a lifetime.