Fizz is a Terrible Idea
So, you’ve probably heard of Fizz. If you haven’t, it’s a social media app, similar to X (formerly known as Twitter). However, it only allows posts from users in the same school communities, and its content is primarily anonymous. Yeah, start running. Of course, Mount Holyoke has a Fizz, and surprisingly it’s not all bad! People are able to post MHC-specific memes and updates, a sense of community is formed through shared experiences that might otherwise have been isolating, and I’ve seen some genuinely funny commentary about campus life. So yeah, Fizz is cool in theory — that is, until it becomes a horrifying echo chamber of who got a bad dye job and who’s being annoying in Blanch.
Let’s talk a little bit about anonymity. You may remember back in the early days of the internet when MySpace and AOL started up and their users went feral. People, especially teens, were shown a new kind of anonymity with which they could say whatever they wanted with no repercussions. Sort of.Â
The thing about being a person is that each of your actions has a profound effect on the people around you, even if it seems silly or harmless. And before you call me a killjoy or roll your eyes, just stick with me for a few sentences —I promise I have a point. I know it seems fun to find some community in collective hate, and it’s easy when no one sees your face and you don’t have to see theirs. It feels like there’s no consequences, but there always, always are. And that’s what I’m worried about. It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of saying whatever you want, whenever you want, to an audience that thinks you’re hilarious. But, believe it or not, the person you pass in the halls whose “weird outfit” you mock in a Fizz post is a real person. And you’re not just some internet hater or a bot. They know that you are a real person in their real community. And so is every one of those upvotes agreeing with you.
I actually really like Fizz as a concept. I think it’s fun to have a community space separate from the institution of the school where people are free to criticize, chat, laugh, and talk things out. This is not a request to delete the app or a hate article — only a cautionary piece. Anonymity has a tendency to bring out the worst in people. Try not to let your newfound freedom ruin someone’s day.