Lifestyle

Rumors and How They Affect People

Danielle Scantlan, Staff Writer • December 4, 2023

Everywhere you go it is inevitable that people will be telling rumors but the most common place is schools. People don’t realize that they are potentially ruining a person’s life and more people need to realize that so that the spread of rumors can stop.

People who are targeted for people to gossip about are people who are being affected mentally. When people are affected mentally, that also affects a person’s health. When other teens spread rumors about someone, that can make a person feel unpleasant and cause them to go into a state of sadness. An article tells how fake news can make someone feel helpless or powerless and make someone lose control of all their feelings. The article was, (Rumors, Gossip, and your health).

Rumors can exclude the targeted person from social interactions with other people. When others spread rumors about a person it can make other people perceive a false image and make other people not want to associate with the targeted person. In an article, it states how rumors can alienate a targeted person’s friends and how they can ruin someone’s reputation. The article source is, (Understanding The Impact Of Rumors).

The spread of misinformation can be very damaging. When people are spreading false news that creates this misunderstanding and confusion. When people are spreading lies, it can harm a person not just the targeted person but society as a whole. Trust ends up getting lost when there is an assortment of fake news going around. In an article, it states how misinformation can make a person feel mental and social distress due to the spread of false information. The article source was, (Misinformation Negatively Affects People’s Health Behaviors).

After seeing the effects rumors can have on a person. Decide if it’s better to make a person feel alone or depressed or make a person feel included and happy by not spreading fake news. Which person sounds better, the person who spreads fake news and ruins a person’s reputation or self-esteem OR the type of person who makes a person feel like they have good friends and people who don’t tear them down?

Donate to Wildcat Post

Your donation will support the student journalists of Hazelwood West High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Danielle Scantlan, Staff Writer

Name: Danielle Scantlan Grade: Sophomore, 10 I am in choir but no extracurriculars but I will be in concerts. I like to play volleyball non-competitively, I like to color, I like to be outside a lot, I love to listen to music, I like to watch videos on animals. I am excited about the newspaper because I think it will be a new experience and something new to try. This does get me out of my comfort zone but I am excited because I think it will be fun. I am the only sophomore in my class but that doesn't bother me because everyone seems nice and welcoming and there's not a lot of people. I do have social anxiety and that is why this is out of my comfort zone but I am always willing to try new things and I am very ready and excited to see what this class will bring to me. I really like trying new things and that is why I decided to stay in the class. I was scared at first but now I am looking forward to it more. I also really like to write and I especially love to write something based on research and that is what this class is so working for the newspaper will be fun because I get to research. That brings me to my next point because I love to do research on all things and now I get to do it for the school. I am thrilled to be telling people about our school and the good things and bad things that come with it. I can't wait to start getting articles written so I can share with everyone.