New Campus Gossip Website – Will Your Student Be Involved?
Websites dedicated to campus gossip appear to be making a comeback — with a vengeance. The oft-discussed, trash-talking site JuicyCampus caused an uproar when students sued, two state attorney generals investigated its business practices, student governments condemned the site and a few schools blocked access to it. The toxic site went under in February 2009, saying it didn't have enough ad revenue.

Now, the Campus Gossip site, complete with its devil horns logo, provides a place for students to anonymously post gossip. At press time, questions such as "Who's the hottest new freshman you've seen so far?" were posted, along with declarations such as "Matt — has herpes!!!!" from specific schools. According to a note on the site from "Lance Lohan," the made-up name for Campus Gossip administrators, 1600 schools are involved.

The site also includes a place where students can post embarrassing videos and photos, including a "RAW" section for those 18 and over.

Gossips sites such as this will likely bring about arguments and appeals, as JuicyCampus did. The issues of free speech, censorship, civil rights, Title IX violations, tarnished reputations and more could be tied into how these sites are used. As a parent, it's good to have your eyes open to the anonymous and not-so-anonymous gossip that may be flowing through students' computers.

Sources: http://campusgossip.com, www.collegeacb.org, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 8/31/09