The Random House Dictionary says a jeremiad is “a prolonged lamentation or mournful complaint,” and for some reason this idea took a while to stick for me. However when I really sat down and thought about issues in American today, many problems came to mind. But I choose to write about one that affects my generation in particular in a highly negative way. The most interesting modern problem I see now, one that I wish to lament, is the problem of using the ‘anonymity’ the internet provides to say cruel things to and about people.
Websites like formspring.com and collegeacb.com are anonymous websites that allow people to post whatever they want, with what seem to be no consequences. People are able to compliment or trash another person’s character, appearance or personality however they choose and no one can stop them. Websites like these, and there are others I have heard of, bring animosity to our generation and allow for battles to be fought without people ever seeing one another. These websites kill people’s self-esteems and lead to real world problems, like depression, school problems, broken relationships and sometimes these fights even lead to lawsuits.
I personally do not understand what the appeal of such websites is. These websites breed immaturity and cause students to, rather than confront people with their problems, lash out at people online with anonymity keeping them safe from repercussions. I am not a person that has a problem with social websites, I use facebook like everyone else, however social websites that lead to bullying and unnecessary cruelty are uncalled for.
Finally!!! you thought about the question. Do this more often. Good blog. Very important problem.
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