2008 Woodie Awards
Juicy Campus takes online gossip to the dark side
Web site asks college students to post any and all gossip anonymously
MaryAnne Shults
Issue date: 11/25/08 Section: News
Katie ran into the hot guy from her math class at the party and they hit it off, and by the end of the night had hooked up. However, the next week in class she couldn't figure out why everyone was staring at her and giggling. Little did she know that he wasn't the great guy she thought he was; he'd gone online and told the entire cyber-world about her sexual prowess and that she was a slut.
Meet Juicycampus.com. It's sort of like the online version of the Burn Book in the movie "Mean Girls", except it raises the bar on nasty, carrying it even deeper into the dark side.
The Web site is a venue for students from 500 colleges nationwide to post hate-filled comments attacking fellow students, faculty, etc. And, these cyber-bullies can spew their malicious remarks anonymously. Some of the most viewed topics include inquiries as to who is "hot" or not to down-right libelous and defamatory personal jabs.
A student from the University of Akron posted, "Did you know that in the University of Akron polymer science building students do not have access to higher then the third floor? It is because that about the third floor is dedicated for a group of individuals. Funded by the government to build worlds [sic] next weapon of mass-destruction."
In anti-Semitic postings, students suggest that dorm showers be converted into gas chambers. They also call for gays and lesbians to be dragged through the streets and write hateful statements about non-Caucasians.
"It's awful," said Elizabeth Bittenbender, 19, a student at Saddleback and Cal State Fullerton. "It's sad that people are thinking the way they are."
Elizabeth is a member of a sorority at Fullerton, one of the groups heavily targeted on the gossip site.
""A lot of people like to attack them [sororities] I think," said Elizabeth. "I see that all the time."
The site doesn't appear to have any shocking comments posted by or about Saddleback College or Irvine Valley College students. However, as the site's popularity grows, this may change. And, this upsets some in the colleges' communities.
Meet Juicycampus.com. It's sort of like the online version of the Burn Book in the movie "Mean Girls", except it raises the bar on nasty, carrying it even deeper into the dark side.
The Web site is a venue for students from 500 colleges nationwide to post hate-filled comments attacking fellow students, faculty, etc. And, these cyber-bullies can spew their malicious remarks anonymously. Some of the most viewed topics include inquiries as to who is "hot" or not to down-right libelous and defamatory personal jabs.
A student from the University of Akron posted, "Did you know that in the University of Akron polymer science building students do not have access to higher then the third floor? It is because that about the third floor is dedicated for a group of individuals. Funded by the government to build worlds [sic] next weapon of mass-destruction."
In anti-Semitic postings, students suggest that dorm showers be converted into gas chambers. They also call for gays and lesbians to be dragged through the streets and write hateful statements about non-Caucasians.
"It's awful," said Elizabeth Bittenbender, 19, a student at Saddleback and Cal State Fullerton. "It's sad that people are thinking the way they are."
Elizabeth is a member of a sorority at Fullerton, one of the groups heavily targeted on the gossip site.
""A lot of people like to attack them [sororities] I think," said Elizabeth. "I see that all the time."
The site doesn't appear to have any shocking comments posted by or about Saddleback College or Irvine Valley College students. However, as the site's popularity grows, this may change. And, this upsets some in the colleges' communities.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Lyra
posted 11/26/08 @ 8:47 AM NA
"Of course, Ivester is hiding behind the First Amendment's right of free speech..."
No opinions in news articles, doll. That's journalism 101.
Firouz
posted 11/27/08 @ 1:00 AM NA
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, personal privacy is very important. On the other hand, Katie was a huge slut. And so is MaryAnne Shults, but I'm not complaining. (Continued…)
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