School Slander Accounts Are Alive and Well

(from the 74 Million) Though school "slander pages," which spread school gossip online, pre-date the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic lockdown may have increased their popularity and influence. When schools en masse shifted online, much of young people’s socializing also migrated into virtual spaces like Discord servers, Google Hangouts and TikTok. Now two years later, even as pandemic restrictions have fallen across the country, many online communities remain, students say, and impact K-12 classrooms in ways that adults fail to understand. Some students say photos are being posted without consent, leading some to refuse to eat or use the restroom. Malicious gossip can also effect how students act and feel in school. 

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