AN anonymous Facebook page has caused discontent at Swansea University.
The page called Spotted: Swansea University Library posts anonymous messages from students in the university library, often describing other student’s physical attributes.
Last semester, a similar page with the same name received thousands of Facebook ‘likes’ but disappeared off the social network site during the Christmas break.
Since then, the new ‘Spotted’ page has maintained the popularity with over 1,800 likes in around two weeks.
Most significantly, the status of the page has become known with active online students and has caused conflicting views.
Sophie Wiggins, a 19-year-old Media Studies student says she has avoided the library for the fear of being ‘spotted’.
“The posts are so judgmental. I’d definitely be a target. Some of them are funny and not all of them are nasty but I have seriously avoided the library because of it,” she said.
Beth Angharad, a 19-year-old English Literature student thinks the page is entertaining but there is pressure on students to think about their appearance before entering the library:
“Although I find most of the posts really funny (unless they’re rude or insulting), I do think there’s now this pressure to dress up and make yourself look good, just to go to the university library; a place where you shouldn’t really feel the need to make an effort for anyone or anything!
“The page is entertaining but it shouldn’t discourage individuality.”
It’s not only Swansea University students being affected by these pages. Other Facebook pages have been set up naming university libraries. Spotted: Exeter Library was closed down due to “popular demand” and pressure from Exeter University.
Charlotte Britton, the Students’ Union’s Welfare Officer, expressed her concerns on her blog at www.swansea-union.co.uk: ‘Anonymous Posts on Facebook – Cute or Creepy?’.
She wrote: “Most of them take the p*** out of people for the way that they look, and other ones are pretty creepy posts about girls that make me feel uncomfortable. “
A university spokesperson said: “The managers of this site have stated on the Facebook page that they will not post messages deemed offensive/hurtful so they do appear to be taking a more considered approach by vetting people’s messages before they are posted.
“However the general reminder to anyone is that irresponsible use of social media could damage their future employment prospects.”
