What are the Dangers of Posting Negative Comments Anonymously Online?

While social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram may not be anonymous, ever since thedirty.com debuted, tons of websites, apps and other social media sites have been created for the online troll to anonymously bash whoever they wish.

Anyone can upload comments of some poor unsuspected soul and trash talk them anonymously, along with their victims full names and several pictures. Then of course the dozens upon dozens of comments from other anonymous trolls after that.

But The Dirty isn't the only one out there. There is one that markets to college kids.

I recently learned of the app Yik Yak, developed primarily for college kids to post anonymously within a 2 mile radius of their current location. It's like Twitter, except there are no screen names and anyone with the app in that area can post whatever they wish. And they definitely are. 

I apologize in advance for the comments in the picture below.

 Pat Taft, employee at Queens University of Charlotte says the app Yik Yak is the most recent app where students can post anonymously. 

"There is a contingent of college students that will post anything and everything. When they think it is anonymous they do have a filter. They will post ugly messages using the other person's  name. They have no concern for feelings. They also use a lot of profanity. They will ask individuals to meet them in certain places to have sex and exchange drugs. This is not just Queens. I have observed this at other institutions as well," said Taft.

However, there are some restrictions to the app. Yik Yak will remove a comment if it receives five or more people that dislike it. 

"I posted that some thoughts should never leave your brain and that Yik Yak will probably turn out not to be anonymous and it will affect people getting jobs - it was off within one minute," said Taft.

While Yik Yak shows comments from users within a 2 mile radius of where you are logged in, Taft says the app does not speak well for a University.

"Students at other schools and neighbors can see the information. Yik Yak has been disturbing because students have talked about the administration, faculty and peers in a negative manner using specific names. You sure can tell what they think about certain classes," said Taft.

So what can we do about this?

In my opinion, this is not new and it will certainly not be the last app or website that allows people to speak their minds anonymously. People as a whole need to stand up and speak out against this kind of behavior and understand that it gets you no where.

As an employee at a University, Taft has this bit of advice to offer college students.

"Assume that nothing is anonymous! Do not post anything that you would not mind a future employer reading. Also, if you cannot say it to someone's face, then you should not say it online. 

They need to understand that just because they cannot see hurt feelings, crying, and depression from their remarks it does not mean they are not there. What they post is a reflection of themselves.  They should ask the question, 'How am I going to be perceived?' before pushing the send button."

What do you think about websites and app such as The Dirty and Yik Yak? What do you think people get out posting negatively about others and what, if anything, do you think can be done about it?

Magazine Covers and Body Image: Not Buying it!

Taking a stroll down any supermarket or convenience store magazine isle is enough to make me, at 26 years old, gag. Countless images of beautiful women in bikinis, talking about how they dropped 15 lbs instantly, to the body and cellulite shaming images marked “you’ll never guess who!” Even if I let myself walk down those isles, I admit if I'm not in the best frame of mind they can get me down.

Even fitness magazines bare perfectly sculpted bodies, who no doubt have some sort of Photoshop action going on.  While I no longer have the same body I did back in my competition days, these magazines even hammer into my head what women AND men (I won’t leave the guys out here) should look like. And of course, they’ll give you the best 15 minute work out tips and the best way to shape up your rump as well…Because we all know, that can use some work.

While I agree health and fitness are important and are essential to leading a healthy lifestyle, not every woman has to be 5’2 105 lbs to be the epitome of health.

We are sending the wrong message to our girls and women here on what healthy, normal bodies look like.

I have recently been inspired by several stories of strong, powerful women in the media.

Brooke Birmingham, lifestyle and fitness blogger of BrookeNot A Diet, lost 172 lbs and channeled her weight loss journey for all to read. Recently, she was contacted by Shape Magazine who wanted to write a story on her weightloss success.   

Brooke happily complied and sent along this picture to show what I real woman’s body looks like after losing 172 lbs, and not being retouched.

Photo from www.brookenotonadiet.com

Shape Magazine wrote her back saying they were unable to use the bikini top photo and wanted one with a shirt. Brooke questioned this, and then later declined having her story written if Shape would not print the photo.

All I have to say- kudos to Brooke for standing up for something she believed in! Shape Magazine is HUGE, and to turn down her chance to have the story run for something she believes is amazing.

To view Brooke’s blogpost on turning down the offer, click here.

After all of the media attention, countless comments, calls from Good Morning America, The Today Show, and more, Shape Magazine made arrangements with Brooke to be featured in an issue with 5 other “real” women who have gone through extreme weight loss.

They will be able to be photographed in whatever outfits, or bikinis, they choose.

I say that's quite an amazing turn out for Brooke, and for women everywhere.

What are your thoughts on Brooke's story?

Tutus and Sneakers- 2014 Girls on the Run Race Charlotte

Today I witnessed an amazing event that inspired me more than anything. Girls on the Run Charlotte held their Spring 2014 5k this morning. With over 3,000 girls, coaches, parents and supporters the area was covered in a sea of green Girls on the Run t-shirts, tutus, and other bright colors- and I of course jumped at the opportunity to volunteer and help this great organization. 

 I volunteered at the Mile 1 Water Station.

As someone who is just getting into running myself, it was amazing to see these young girls out running, for many of them, their first 5k. The support and camaraderie was endearing to see, as each of the girls ran by cheering on their teammates.

The Mile 1 Water Station was located right as the runners were coming off a large hill. We thought we were well-prepared with over three tables stacked three times high with water - but there were so many participants we couldn't have the water ready fast enough! 

After all the chaos was over and the last participants passed by our station, I was in awe. Most of these girls were under 10 years old and here they are running in a 3.1 mile race. I never ran my first 5k until I was 18 years old, and still today, running that distance can be a feat.

As we cleaned up our station and started walking back towards the main area, I captured this amazing shot of the girls running the final mile of the race. I wanted to run with them.

When everything was said and done, I went home and put on my running shoes and vowed that if these girls could do it this morning- so could I. I ran over a 10k- 6.5 miles, and for me, thats quite a distance.

I have to say it was the girls who gave me the motivation.

Girls on the Run is an excellent organization. In my opinion in not only encourages girls to lead happier, healthier more confident lives, it also encourages grown women. I know for me, at 26 years old, it has.

For more information on Girls on the Run and how you can help, visit their website by clicking here. 

The Words of a Mother

Throughout this project, I have talked of different issues impacting women and young girls. I've talked to a group of pre-teens, I've shown videos on body image- but I have yet to talk to a mother.


Although I have no children of my own (yet!) I often think of how I would like to raise children, and how I would go about instilling morals in them, especially in today's widespread social media usage. Usually I think I wouldn't let my kids have phones, but I'm not sure how likely that would be.


To get a better idea of what it's like being the mother of teen girls, I spoke to Sherrill Shiraz, mother of two girls ages 12 and almost 14. She gave some great insight on what it's like raising a family in a time where everyone is so connected. She also spoke on weight loss and wearing makeup.



"Both of my daughters have Instagram and Snapchat, no Facebook, and no Twitter," said Shiraz.. "I don't monitor what they post enough, but my friend is friends with them and she let's me know if she sees anything I should look at."


While both of her daughters have cell phones, Shiraz sets specific times when they can or can't use them.


"They are not allowed to have the phone at the table or when we are eating in the kitchen. Also not when doing homework. Otherwise my husband and I keep an eye on them and if we think it is getting out of hand we remove it. The phone is the primary privilege we take away from the younger daughter. My oldest rides horses, so we use that as leverage," said Shiraz.


Shiraz definitely thinks the media pressures women to look a certain way, and she expressed concern for her daughters.

"I tell my girls not to look at any clothing size tags because we can cut them out and nobody has to know the size- just look at how we feel," said Shiraz. 

Shiraz recently lost 30 lbs, mainly for health reasons.


"I believe we should all appreciate our body and that we should try to stay healthy- that was my main motivation for losing weight. I like the way I look now and that I can wear different clothes. I think in a way that the motivation to stay thin or healthy is not 100% negative because there is an underlying benefit for our health, but when we judge ourselves because we are not 'thin enough,' then that is bad," she said.


Shiraz expressed concern for her daughter watching videos on YouTube. "She does not understand that these [YouTube videos] are really like advertisements and many of these people are wearing clothes and using products that they are paid to use," she said.


As far as makeup, I asked Shiraz if she herself wore any, and whether she let her daughters wear it as well.


Shiraz said that while she does wear some eye makeup and lipstick, she makes sure to use good moisturizers but doesn't care too much for foundation makeup.


"My 14-year-old started wearing makeup this year and her younger sister [almost 12] has just started wearing some cover-up for her acne and some mascara," she said.

"I have never said they can't wear it, but I have never encouraged them to wear it, so I guess I am neutral. I do comment negatively if I see someone with lots of makeup on just because I think it is bad for their face and also if it looks unnatural," said Shiraz.

Shiraz said her oldest has taken an interest into learning how to apply makeup.

"I think it's important for them to experiment with their femininity and makeup is part of that in our society," said Shiraz. "I am sure her father would say something if she put on too much though!"

Shiraz says she strives to teach her daughters that there are many other things to do other than shop or worry about clothes, and currently she is getting them involved in local charities, and teaching them how to make their own clothes.