On apps, some things can last forever
College students are the target audience for many recently launched apps. The newest hit app to hit University of Idaho is FADE — a free app that allows users to post pictures or text anonymously. With these posts, other users can comment on them anonymously.
FADE’s slogan is, “Nothing Lasts Forever,” because whatever you post on this app only lasts for 24 hours. Posts only last for more than 24 hours if users vote them up enough. The more ups a post has, the more time it gets to stay on the app for everyone to see.
If certain posts gets enough ups, the post goes on the Hall of Fades. The Hall of Fades are different pictures and text taken from college campuses across the country. Once a picture is in the Hall of Fades, anyone is able to see it.
This app seems like a great thing, in theory. With this app, it should be easy to connect students on campus and could endlessly entertain with all the crazy things posted. Unfortunately, the app has morphed into a tool for harassment.
Since people can use FADE anonymously, it is easier to get away with certain things — such as taking pictures of people without their knowledge. There have been many pictures taken of a woman’s backside without their consent and posted for the whole world to gawk at. Then, people abuse the anonymity to comment harshly on said picture, as if the woman pictured was nothing more than an object.
There have also been pictures taken of people who look a little different than the average person walking around campus. Again, with the comments being anonymous, people say cruel and disgusting things about those who are photographed without any immediate consequence.
The people who make these comments probably don’t realize everyone is able to get this app. Anyone is able to see their picture has been taken without their knowledge. Anyone is able to see all of the ugly comments made about their bodies or appearance.
This kind of harassment shouldn’t be taken lightly. Having cruel things said about your appearance can lead to more than just a bad day. Harassment can lead to a lower self esteem, depression, thoughts of suicide or even attempts at suicide.
FADE should be a great app to have. It can be used as a tool to bring the campus together and let people know what’s going on in Moscow. But by getting this app, be conscious of what you are putting out there for everyone to see.
Anonymous or not, comments posted online can still affect another person’s well-being. Don’t use FADE to take pictures of others without them knowing, since that counts as harassment. Instead, focus on the good of this app and stick with it.
Jessy Forsmo-Shadid can be reached at [email protected]