The Sarahah app lets people send anonymous messages, and students are using it to bully each other. Parents and schools are worried it could lead to suicide, and some are pushing to shut it down entirely.
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New at 10, cause for concern about an app some say provides a platform to cyberbullies. Boston 25 News reporter Jacob Long spoke with a computer security and media expert about the possible— New at 10, cause for concern about an app some say provides a platform to cyberbullies. Boston 25 News reporter Jacob Long spoke with a computer security and media expert about the possible dangers of this technology. Jacob.
Well, Chris, the word "sarahah," loosely translated, means honesty and frankness in Arabic, and that is what this site claims to promote— honest and open feedback between friends, maybe be coworkers, but experts do agree when not used responsibly, it can have devastating consequences. Take one look at the website change.org and you will find a number of petitions asking for the website Sarahah to be shut down. Some of the petitions launched by parents who say Sarahah contributed to their child's suicide.
Putting technology in the hands of children that aren't ready for it emotionally, it's like putting them behind the wheel of a car where they don't have their driver's license yet.
Sarahah burst came onto the tech scene last year with tremendous popularity worldwide, largely because it allows you to send messages to other users without ever giving your name.
The problem with anonymity on the web is that anybody can say anything to anyone, uh, and there be no repercussion.
Just look at these hateful and hurtful messages sent to a local middle school student using Sarahah. They're a prime example of what experts say is a sinister side of the website that allows cyberbullying to thrive without consequence.
When a human reads something so mean about them, it does hurt.
And the fear for some is that words like these encouraging suicide will contribute to an already disturbing trend.
We're seeing for the first time in 25 years suicide rates increasing for middle school kids because of this.
And so for parents, experts say know what is on your child's phone or computer and do not dismiss any of the concerns they might have about being bullied. The developer The developer of this site has told publications they're working to block offensive words and maybe allow people to block certain users. Big local school districts like Worcester and Boston Public say this isn't quite on their radars yet, but that it's only probably a matter of time. Live in the studio tonight, Jacob Long, Boston 25 News.
