Exploding the "Topix" Myth!

    When we want to find the juiciest gossip around, we (your review mavens, Abby  and Meng), automatically think of Topix.com. Yes, we know, it's a sin in the social media world to even associate oneself with this vicious website. So, we decided to investigate what happened to a girl who passed away so young. What I found when I entered Topix was disturbing. The discussion board went from how she died to someone slandering a different girl. Why is this possible and legal online?

   

Topix.com describes itself as a "news" website. Do you think it provides any
valid news or has journalistic integrity?

   People are allowed to post anonymously, without registering, in Topix forums. These stories blend in across the world wide web with other legitimate new stories. Even though Topix may be primarily news, 75% of its total content and traffic is comprised of comments made by users.

   Since anyone cab post anything  - true or false - to their heart's desire, Topix is fast becoming notorious as an online bullying site. It has became a central vehicle for cyber-bullying. Its victims have suffered emotional, psychological and, in some case, even financial harm.

   Although Topix has a tab for "forums," it is not a very good example of a legitimate forum. Visitors do not go online to review how many people some enemy or rival "slept with" or who's husband cheated on who with. Over 1,000 complaints are filed with Topix on a daily basis. We are, frankly, shocked that this creator of "monsters" is allowed to continue and even thrive. Perhaps, if we all ignore it and stop visiting, the bullies will get bored and go home!

'Til next week,

- Abby & Meng