Sequoia Gregorich, Reporter
The After School app’s a little cute you might think. First there’s the little logo with the tiger and sunglasses. And then there’s the cute mysterious compliments. The ones that make so many students around the country feel appreciated and admired.
We might be a school in the top five percent of the state, but despite our assumptions, we are not all that different to other United State high schools. Eighty percent use the After School app, making it the largest social network for teens.
After School allows students to post on an anonymous message board for only students at their school to see.
On the 10th of October the Riptide sent out a survey to the entire student body. What I received was the responses of 83 students expressing their usage and opinions of the app. According to the survey, one third of Vashon High School students use the application.
Many students said the majority of the app displays compliments, and very few put downs. However in a poll of about 50 students, at least 10 said they’ve had rumors spread about them, and 12 have been victimized based on their sexual orientation, race, appearance, or gender. So is this form of anonymous media unhealthy for teens? Do you have a responsibility as parents to do something?
The app promotes a safe environment for students to anonymously confess feeling and share remarks. And most students download the app with intentions aimed towards boosting the self esteem of others. But comments often portray students as sexual objects and can turn ugly really quickly.
“People say gross sexual things that could easily be seen as harassment,” said a poll respondent.
High school students everywhere are anxious about what people think of them; however, there is absolutely no need to keep an app around that causes stress related to petty gossip.
As we have all discovered at one point or another, there are no deletable words. There may come a time when you need to use strong words, but there are certain places where it is not appropriate to use them. A public platform for everyone is never a place to spew unnecessary and possibly reckless thoughts.
I’m sure every one of you have either scolded or gone as far as to punish your kid for something considered morally wrong in your family. The reason you do this is to teach that they need to be held accountable for your words and actions.
“[After School] is the perfect environment for people to spread harmful rumors, lies, and cyber bullying without worrying about direct consequences,” said a poll respondent.
Anonymity can be a powerful tool, but if used carelessly, it can be very dangerous. When “keyboard warriors” think it’s acceptable to say whatever they want, other students can end up feeling insecure and unsure who is thinking and saying things about them.
As a teen, I have seen the difficult battle many parents go through, wondering if they should step back, or step in. But right now, it is time to remind your kids that this app can be very damaging to many people, that they need to choose their words before they speak, and that they should never solve problems with a keyboard.
Simply forbidding the use of an app and making the decision for your kids might not warrant the type of response you, or they want. Instead, it is essential that you guide them to access the morals they have been taught.
As we transition from teens to adults, it is important that we start to push ourselves to the type of people we want to be. We are starting to project to the world who we are and what we stand for, but, unfortunately, a huge part of this is how we are seen. Anonymity protects us from being seen, so it is important we learn to judge ourselves for a change.
Every parent has a different relationship with their kid. However you decide to go about it, know that it is time to end the promotion of a life hidden behind screens. Whether it’s speaking kindness, or of a disagreement, it is always better to encourage honesty face to face.
Since the majority of VHS already doesn’t use the app, it would not be difficult to lessen the use of the rest of the population. This app is simply about popularity. If one kid at a time decides to stop using it, the gossip and rumors that have hurt so many, would be gone.
Sequoia,
Thank you for bringing this app to my attention through your article. You have clearly stated the problems with the app, yet what is most powerful is the guidance you offer about how to approach the discussion between parent and student. As a parent, I must continually remember that most of life is not as clear as either/or; it is about a lot of gray. You point to the need for parents to offer lessons in discernment which require all of us to look to our values before we engage in discussion, be it online or face-to-face. Bravo!