Gossip: Application to publish rumors that are all the rage and misfortune

It is one of the applications of the moment. Barely run out, it already caused too much ink to flow. It’s called Gossip. And if this app is already being spoofed, it’s because it allows you to publish gossip about anyone, at any time. It’s a hit with teenagers, but it panics adults. Gossip is a practice that is all the rage and misfortune.

• Also read: What is the French’s favorite social network?

“Welcome to the scandalous lives of the Manhattan elite” this is the slogan of the famous TV series Gossip Girl, popular with young people. It literally means: “Welcome to the scandalous lives of the New York elite”.

This series chronicles the sleep binges, binges, and other emotional stories of New York’s cool Upper East Side teens, leaked stories thanks to a rumor app. 25-year-old Frenchwoman Cindy Mouly was inspired to create the Gossip app.

The principle is simple: the user sends a tweet or a 140 character long gossip, a rumor, a gossip. A photo or video can be attached to appear as “evidence”.

• See also: Mother confiscated daughter’s smartphone, poisoned her twice

Already suspended after only two weeks

The problem is that if this practice is so popular with “television-like” teens, it raises a lot of concerns with parents and Education. Those responsible for the education of children cf. Gossip about a way to promote false rumors and online harassment.

This harassment problem has already caused many misfortunes with the rise of social networks. But Gossip takes immorality too far by allowing any gossip to be sold anonymously about anyone.

In the United States, applications such as Hidden Or after school already banned long ago (they have been around for a long time too) based on the same principle. In fact, a 17-year-old student in Detroit was arrested for making these comments about the application:

Tomorrow I will kill you all. until the last one. And it will be even greater than Columbine… Death to all of you.

The Gossip app that uses exactly the same principle is already Suspended by “moderation body”. Despite this, 10,000 new downloads are recorded every day. The creator of the very responsive application has already changed the terms of use (which even adults do not read).

The app will now be banned for children under 16 to anyone under 12. messages must be given. “inciting hatred, violence, racism, discrimination” Or “harassment or incitement to harassment” together “messages that are intended to cause harm or revenge, are abusive, defamatory or derogatory” it is forbidden. Okay, but what’s the penalty for not complying with these conditions? We do not know.

• Also read: Rethink, the anti-cyberbullying program started by a 13-year-old

National Education and high school unions are also worried

In every situation, National Education and high school student unions were alarmed. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem called the greatest “vigilance”. Academy rectors were asked to inform the public prosecutors “any insulting or humiliating statement made against students or staff”.

The high school student unions, the High School Students General Union, and the Independent and Democratic Federation of High School Students (Fidl) are quite simply He demanded that Gossip be banned altogether. If high school students themselves want the application to be withdrawn, it is certainly not in vain.