Ask.fm is a fairly new social media website (launched in 2010) and has made its way into the lives and browser history of people all around the world. I believe that the major demographic that uses this site are youth, for us kids are often genuinely interested in the lives of our peers, and we also wonder what people want to know about us. It feels good to know that you are on somebody’s mind and in their queries, even if that somebody is unknown.
Aside from the frivolous Question of the Day’s, most questions that I see on this website tend to inquire about people’s personal lives. Examples include, “When was your first kiss,” “Who do you like,” and of course, the vital question that can alter your social image forever: “Are you a virgin?”
These questions are a little personal, I must admit, but kids will be kids, right? We are curious to see if everybody else is growing up at the same pace we are, if we’re normal, if others are doing something we are not. I feel that any real question is fine to ask, for that is what the site is intended for. If you are comfortable answering something, you may do so to your discretion. If not, or if the question is inappropriate (like the “Are you a virgin?” question mentioned before), you simply delete it from your inbox.
Unfortunately, there are some “questions” that you will never be able to delete—from your memory, that is. These are the questions that aren’t really questions, but comments that people only feel comfortable saying because they are safely hidden behind the comfortable pseudonym of “Anonymous.”
Anonymous, or “Anon” for short, can be your best friend or worst enemy. Anon could be that kid you dislike from school, your best friend, or even your parents. Anon could send you encouragement and love letters, but Anon could also send you hate that ranges in severity from mild to extreme, and sometimes it can leave you restless for nights.
Though it may seem far-fetched, I don’t think that the issue are the anonymous kids who say mean things. Anon will always be out there, and he will always have something nasty to say. The main problem here is that these teens I see, instead of disabling their accounts, continue to respond to and encourage these hateful messages!
It seems illogical to me; why would you want something that hurts you so much to persist? Do people really relish the attention that much? Also, why would somebody answer questions that are extremely personal and obviously inappropriate? It may feel good to be the centre of attention now, but down the road, you may regret sharing your personal information with random strangers. Your parents, your employers, and even your future children could see what you wrote. Remember, once it’s on the Internet, it’s there forever.
My advice to people using Ask.fm is to be careful. It’s all good and well until somebody gets hurt, so have fun, be smart and answer wisely!
