Cabot Teens Taking It Too Far on Topix Website?
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 10, 2011
"One post said less gays equal better world. Kill yourself and I'll dig the graves," she said scrolling through the online site. "Another said that a girl had slept with 26 guys. She's in junior high. "
Vickie Brewer was taken aback by what she found local teens had typed in the Topix forums.
"We're famous, we made Topix," she said of what students were saying of the online activity.
Kids have been bashing and berating one another.
"Some people will post a girl's name on there and every girl will comment that they're a slut, the biggest slut in school," said Cabot High Student Colin Fowler.
"It's a bunch of hatred of teenagers coming together and it sickens me," Danielle Bishop said.
Many of those who write on these walls don't feel there are any real penalties for what they post.
"They grow this false sense of security through the Internet that they can say anything they want," Fowler said.
According to Law Professor Terri Beiner, what you say in cyber space can land you in a very real tight spot once you log off, because your freedom of speech doesn't extend to defamation.
"Things like calling someone a slut are actually in a category of slander per se," Beiner said.
So, students verbal slashings could mean an appearance in court if a lawsuit is filed.
"We're seeing people be much more bold in the types of statements they will make that are not supported by the facts," Benier said.
And cases of teens committing suicide after being targeted on social sites could lead to a charge manslaughter if authorities link the incident to another teen's attacks.
So, what's the deal? Is it shows like Jersey Shore, the protection of an online profile or a lack of paternal supervision driving these kids to be so cruel?
"I think reality TV creates this imaginary world where we can get away with anything these people do," said student Stephanie Ward.
"I think it's just more teens wanting to be hateful and that's the only way they can possibly get it out," Fowler said.
"Parents are not giving their kids any consequences whatsoever they're letting them have free reign," Brewer said.
Brewer believes all of those elements play a part, and she's worried by the time these teens realize the impact they have, the damage will be done.
Vickie Brewer was taken aback by what she found local teens had typed in the Topix forums.
"We're famous, we made Topix," she said of what students were saying of the online activity.
Kids have been bashing and berating one another.
"Some people will post a girl's name on there and every girl will comment that they're a slut, the biggest slut in school," said Cabot High Student Colin Fowler.
"It's a bunch of hatred of teenagers coming together and it sickens me," Danielle Bishop said.
Many of those who write on these walls don't feel there are any real penalties for what they post.
"They grow this false sense of security through the Internet that they can say anything they want," Fowler said.
According to Law Professor Terri Beiner, what you say in cyber space can land you in a very real tight spot once you log off, because your freedom of speech doesn't extend to defamation.
"Things like calling someone a slut are actually in a category of slander per se," Beiner said.
So, students verbal slashings could mean an appearance in court if a lawsuit is filed.
"We're seeing people be much more bold in the types of statements they will make that are not supported by the facts," Benier said.
And cases of teens committing suicide after being targeted on social sites could lead to a charge manslaughter if authorities link the incident to another teen's attacks.
So, what's the deal? Is it shows like Jersey Shore, the protection of an online profile or a lack of paternal supervision driving these kids to be so cruel?
"I think reality TV creates this imaginary world where we can get away with anything these people do," said student Stephanie Ward.
"I think it's just more teens wanting to be hateful and that's the only way they can possibly get it out," Fowler said.
"Parents are not giving their kids any consequences whatsoever they're letting them have free reign," Brewer said.
Brewer believes all of those elements play a part, and she's worried by the time these teens realize the impact they have, the damage will be done.
