Whisper is an all-new app that allows users to “share confessions, express yourself, and meet new people”– all anonymously.
Users can group chat, or chat one-on-one—also anonymously. It is mediums such as this that got Barry Gebhart, athletic director at Fayetteville High School, arrested for the Internet stalking of a child.
Gebhart, a 50-year-old man, went under the username “Big Dog” and sent sexually explicit texts and pictures of himself to someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
This 14-year-old girl was actually an undercover detective with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department who arrested “Big Dog” after they arranged to meet up at the mall.
The aspect of Whisper that makes a first-time viewer most skeptical is “meeting new people.”
According to itunes.apple.com, users can “meet people, whether they’re looking for new friends, searching for your soulmate, or just someone to laugh with!”
The ability to share one’s location to another anonymous user, causes one to ponder the use for an app like this.
“The problem isn’t the app, but rather the intent of some that use it,” said senior Abby Rice.
“Anonymously speaking is no sin, and certainly any app that allows communications is fine by me,” she said. “It’s the implications of what could be done should location be shared or pictures shown.”
Rice was not the only one who shared in skepticism, although junior Lindsey Priest felt a bit more passionately on the matter.
“Anonymous texting is cool or whatever, but location? That’s stupid,” said Priest. “Like, seriously, do you want to get killed?”
An event such as this with an app that focuses on anonymity such as Whisper makes one question whether the new technological growth in our society will lead to more or less Internet safety.
“The world has always been dangerous,” said Rice. “Now, as opposed to earlier days, children are being threatened digitally. It’s no safer or less safe; just a new battleground.”
It is this digital battleground in which 65 percent of online sex offenders use to gather home and school information about their victim, according to the Journal of Adolescent Health.
“[It is] Less safe, because obviously your information is being put out there and it’s easier to find stuff out about people,” said Priest. “But it’s also a bit better because kids are more aware that it [the internet] is dangerous and bad things do happen.”
Senior Mary Quinn took the side of Priest.
“I would have to say the Internet will become less safe because there are so many more things you can get into even if they look or seem secure,” said Quinn. “Without a lot of life knowledge and so many things to get into it’s hard to tell what’s dangerous or not.”
The federal government has made several attempts at extending their jurisdiction within the Internet such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA), both of which met heavy protests from Internet users.
What do students propose should be done regarding regulation that would make for a safer Internet?
“I know it’s hard to regulate age on the computer but it [Whisper] should ask for it anyways,” said Blackwell, “in order for a minor to think twice before he/she throws their dirty laundry out on the lawn that is the Internet of today.”
“They could make sure no serious private information is released and put out on the Internet or something,” said Priest.
Blackwell offers one piece of advice for all people using the Internet.
“When it comes to maneuvering the Internet today, just be honest,” said Blackwell. “If we are all honest and no one tries to be something they’re not or do something they know is wrong, then all problems would seemingly diminish.”
