The human being thrives on what others think about them. We become upset when scolded, pleased when we are admired, and defensive when insulted. Opinions frequently consume the human mind, whether it is someone else’s or our own. The importance of these opinions vary, depending on how important these people are to us. How important are these opinions then, if they are anonymous?

Due to a recent online trend, it seems that to many teens, anonymous opinions do matter. Formspring.com is a website that allows people to anonymously ask questions or make comments on a persons page. The person is then provided with the option to publish this remark on their page, with a response, or a retaliation. Formspring has over four million users per month, a large majority of which are high school students.
Frequently, they are girls.

“People say a lot of super disrespectful things,” said sophomore Bella Larson, “like about looks, or you being stupid, you being a bitch, or whatever.”  After reading Formspring it is easy to notice a trend in posts, which is negativity. Though some are lucky enough to just receive compliments, others are subject to rude comments, vulgar rumors, or negative opinions about their personalities. Larson has had a Formspring profile for nearly six months. Junior Cecile Nicholas, who has had a profile since last summer, said she has had a similar experience with the sight. “I’ve gotten offensive ones, but I haven’t taken them to heart. I don’t let them affect me too much.”

Bullying on the site has resulted in some serious consequences, ranging from deletion of accounts to the suicide of a 17-year-old in New York last spring. People have created groups on Facebook against the site, each with names like “Formspring: Where a Pussy can be a Pussy” and other names insulting the intergrity of those on Formspring.

If you were to ask your mother what you should do when asked a negative question, it is likely she would tell you to take the high road, and that there was no need to retaliate. More and more participants are not only answering these questions though, but also posting them for the world to see. Most who do this have a strategy, and it seems to be mostly the same.

“Jokingly,” said freshmen Anna Olson, “you just say ‘oh that’s funny’ or whatever.” Olson got a Formspring at the beginning of this school year, and agrees that it can sometimes be hurtful. “[People say] why would you do this, it makes you seem like a slut,” continued Olson, “just things that are not true, they’re insulting.”

Larson said similar things to these posts, telling the person they are her best friend, or that she loves them. These reactions typically go over well with Larson’s Formspring audience, but of many, the way one answers a question can be one of the most important aspects in how they view someone.

“If I think they’re a pure girl, and then they’re answering a bunch of freaky questions (on Formspring),” said junior Kevin Sullivan “then, yeah, I’m gonna think they’re a whore.” Sullivan has a Formspring of his own, and frequently reads girls’ Formsprings, saying it’s the “funniest thing of my life.”

Sophomore Madison Richter said that he does not judge girls based on their Formsprings, but only on his own personal experience with him. He does think, however, that censorship is something that many should consider. “Its their choice but they do have the option to delete the questions.” said Richter

Sullivan agreed with Richter that girls should choose what they are honest about more closely. “They shouldn’t do it’ he said ‘They answer their questions honestly, and then get mad when people talk about it. But if you’re going to lie, then you shouldn’t have one.”

If living by Sullivan’s view point, then girls are left with few choices on their profiles. Either answer each question honestly, and risk being talked about, or choose your questions wisely, and have a Formspring no one reads.

“The people who write (negative things) are the people who don’t like you,” said Olson, “because the people who do like you don’t bother to write anything good.” This seems to be a frequent trend in Formspring posts, more questions are negative or mean spirited than not. “It’s easier to listen to the bad comments than the good things.” said Larson

“I’m against it,” said sophomore Sam Holt of Formspring, “it is a ridiculous thing to do.” Sullivan agrees, who compared Formspring to the “Devil.”

Formspring may now seem like a terrible thing, but to Nicholas it is important to remember that it is a choice. Nothing is posted, replied to, or visible without conformation. Even before that, you have to sign up. “Formspring has a lot of negative attention, but people need to realize it depends on your confidence,” said Nicholas, “if you’re confident with yourself, Formspring shouldn’t make that much of a difference.”