Shocking Facebook Page Targets Local Students
SOUTHGATE (WWJ) - A new Facebook page focused on Southgate Anderson High School is causing some controversy.
The "Southgate Memes" Facebook group, launched Thursday, features unauthorized photos of downriver students with offensive, outrageous and abusive captions.
There are about 500 members of the group so far -- some teens saying the photos posted are funny, and others calling them a form of bullying.
On Saturday, people were talking about the page on on Twitter.
"K southgate memes not even funny anymore, as soon as somebody kill theyself over this [expletive] everybody gonna feel bad," one student tweeted.
A local parent reported receiving a robo-call from Southgate Anderson warning about the page and saying the school is working to shut it down.
Why is a webpage like this even legal?
WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke live with Dr. Norman Goldner, a sociologist from the University of Detroit Mercy.
"Material culture changes so fast at accelerating rates that our customs and our norms aren't up to keeping track of it," Goldner said. "And, of course, when we try to legislate solutions to these problems, we're coming from behind, the problems are complex, and those who are trying to legislate the solutions to the technology barely understand the technology."
Goldner believes websites like these can serve as a forum for bullies who might not feel confident enough to attack others directly.
"You can trace them, but it is done in near anonymity," said Goldner. "And, although you can find them, they're so many steps away from a face-to-face encounter with a person that they feel free to do it."
The have been reports of similar Facebook pages focusing on other local schools.
The Southgate Community School District superintendent could not immediately be reached for comment.
