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10 Opinion
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hen most people think of spam, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the place where unwanted emails go or the pink and slimy goop that comes out of a tin can. However, those kinds of spam will not be discussed anywhere in this article. A spam page or a spam account, according to Protect Young Eyes, is “an account [used by teens] specifically for sharing their more personal, unpolished, rough pictures with their inner circle.” The popularity of spam accounts rose after a 2017 Instagram update that allowed users to simultaneously switch between multiple accounts without having to log out of one to access another. As a result of this update, teens created spam accounts under false identities and named them after their favorite characters or memes. What is a spam account?
A spam account is typically a private account where users share content that they would not necessarily share on their personal accounts. Spam accounts may also be connected to one’s personal account, but they usually have fewer followers than a personal account. These accounts usually have content that is just for laughs and they may also contain things that are sensitive to others.
Although most spam pages are used to provide comedic relief for those running the accounts and those who follow the pages, they can be crucial to teens because they relieve society’s pressures of perfection. Senior Angela Lopez stated, “I have a spam account because I feel like some things are just so random, that they wouldn’t fit in my personal account.” Society tells teens that they should act a certain way and it also tells them what they should look like and what interests they should have. However, spam accounts allow users to post content without censorship. Should there be any concerns regarding spam/ private accounts?
Some parents show concerns about what their children post online, but most spam and private accounts are created for the sole purpose of only allowing a select group of people to view the content shared on them. Parents have their concerns, but some of the concerns about spam accounts and private pages also come from the teens themselves. Concern arises from the fact that although accounts may be ‘private’ nothing on the internet as private as it seems. For example, in recent years some students applying to prestigious schools have had their acceptances rescinded as a result of their behaviors and actions on private accounts. In a 2019 investigation, 10 Harvard applicants had their admissions revoked due to their participation in a private group that made jokes about abusing children, the Holocaust and members of racial groups. As seen with this example, it is evident what should be shared and what should not.
Certain content posted on spam accounts is questionable and despite the concerns that they may give rise to, they are important because they provide safe spaces for teens and allow teens to be themselves without having to fear judgment from others. W THIS IS NOT A SPAM The importance of spam accounts. Samirah Abellard Managing Editor/ Features Editor
Most Spam accounts used by teens today are on Instagram, Twitter where they are known as rant accounts, and Snapchat. Users on Snapchat can make private stories where they can share stories with a select group of people. @Daquan is a popular spam account on Instagram with more than 13 million followers
11 Opinion College App Dilemma$ The cost of college before you even get in. Valentina Jaramillo Staff Writer F Photo by gatorshop.com Photo by weregoodsports.com or seniors, it is college application time! Most Florida schools’ application deadlines are in November, such as the University of Florida and Florida State University, so most seniors are in the process of checking, editing or filling out their applications. These applications, which will determine students’ futures, come with a high level of strain, both financially and mentally.
It is obvious that college applications equal stress. “I’ve been working on my applications since the beginning of summer and I’m still not quite finished yet, they’re extremely nerve wracking to fill out,” senior Liel Shamash said. Completing applications is a long, tedious process where you have to account for everything you have accomplished throughout your high school career, where all your hard work matters and can finally be flaunted. However, because these applications are due in the middle of the school year, some students are having trouble scheduling time for school work and their college applications. “As an IB student, this is the most stressed I have ever been,” senior Emily Espinosa said. “My IB workload is overwhelmingly heavy which leaves me minimal time to work on my college apps.” There is a consensus among Suncoast seniors that this time of the year is the most difficult, and the constant deadlines from teachers turns into procrastinating college applications, which leads to stress.
“I think teachers should take into consideration that seniors are overloaded with college things, and they should allot time for us to focus on these applications that ultimately decide our future,” Espinosa said.
Because college applications are so important, they have put loads of stress and nerves on seniors. Some have even procrastinated due to fear of the idea of growing up and going to college on their own. Not only are applications stressful, but extremely costly as well. Everything that has to do with applying to college costs money, whether it is ordering your transcripts, buying the applications, or sending SAT and ACT scores. “Sending my ACT score was super expensive because colleges require you to pay to send every individual score[…]” Shamash said. “I paid $300 to send my applications to 10 schools.”
“I applied to 15 schools and applications cost between 30 and 80 dollars, I had to pay most of them myself, but I got many fee waivers that helped reduce the price,” senior William Rider said.
Fee waivers are the most efficient way to make the application process more affordable. You must apply to see if you are eligible to get one to use it. “It’s expensive but worth it, I already received my first acceptance letter which was the best feeling ever,” Rider said. Former senior class president and Suncoast alumni Fabrice Lamour now attends the University of Central Florida and recalls his application process. “I spent so much time and money on college apps, and there were some schools that accepted me, like New York University, that were too expensive for me to attend,” he said, “but it was all worth it because I enjoy every minute here at UCF.”
Despite the impending stress that comes with the college application process, it helps to know that many students feel the same way and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel -- receiving those acceptance letters.
Wishing this year’s seniors luck on their applications, and remember, not to procrastinate and get those fee waivers. Photo by collegefalgsandbanners.com
