Fizz Instagram Post @fizzsxu on Instagram
Fizz, an app where college students can make anonymous posts, has quickly gained popularity at Saint Xavier University (SXU) since its launch on Nov. 4. Since then, questionable posts have been made. posts have been found to not truly be anonymous.
Katy Thompson, Vice President for Student Life, explained that the university administration was recently made aware of the Fizz app and its connections to the university community. The Dean of Students does not often monitor social media platforms, but has recently reviewed content posted on the platform.
“Given that Fizz is an anonymous platform, it is difficult to have a real sense of who is posting and if all of what is posted are actual occurrences or references to activities happening on campus. However, anytime hurtful or disrespectful statements are made it is considered bullying or harassment, university policies do prohibit these kind of actions and behaviors,” Thompson said.
To join the app, you are required to input a school email. each user has been more open due to the “anonymity” of the app.
Some students admitted to using prohibited substances in posts. However, the validity of these statements are unclear.
University policies prohibit these actions. According to the Student Handbook, “The possession, use, consumption, sale, dispensation, distribution or manufacture of alcohol or controlled substances is prohibited on University property, while conducting University business or as a part of University activities, except on occasions when the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a social setting is authorized and sponsored by the University.”
The Student Handbook also states, “Saint Xavier expects all members of the University community to act toward one another with sensitivity, consideration, understanding, appreciation, tolerance, civility and an active concern for the welfare of others. The University is particularly concerned that its members show respect for others regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or nationality and refrain from all forms of harassing or offensive behaviors that demean the inherent dignity of others.”
Students have also used the app to spread gossip about their peers, with SXU athletes being a main target.
Users have posted remarks on the sexuality of the athletes, made accusations against them, share personal information, and have photographed them walking around campus.
Thompson explained, “The anonymous platform that Fizz supports is problematic for a number of reasons, one being the anonymity it offers those who do post content and the inability for the University to identify those that contribute and hold them accountable. Using these applications or any platform to harass or attack other members of the SXU community is contrary to who we are as a Catholic and Mercy institution. As our mission directs, we are an educational institution that values human dignity and respect.”
Student athlete Coby Triplett said, “I’ll put it this way, it if was true I’d be upset that my business would be out. But, they are, like, lies, so it’s kind of funny because, like, how can you come up with this stuff?”
Triplett explained how posts were being made about specific decorations in his room, “I have a ‘get naked’ rug, and they talk about my rug, so now it’s like, who’s been in my room that’s talking? Invasion of privacy, truthfully,” he explained.
Head Football Coach Michael Feminis mentioned that he was unaware of the app until it was recently brought to his attention. “I have never heard of the Fizz app but I’ll ask our guys after practice today,” he stated.
Feminis explained that if SXU football players are on the app participating in bullying or posting about the usage of prohibited substances, each player involved will face consequences.
Though some believe users of app take a negative stance on the community, some students have shared that they find the app funny and participate in it for entertainment purposes.
Faruq Sulaimon, student athlete, has been a target on the app as well. However, he has explained that he does not care too much about posts being made about him, and that most of them were being made by his friends.
“I mean, it’s funny. It’s not like I’m against it, I enjoy it. At the end of the day, most of the people that are making the stuff that have my name on it are my friends anyway,” Sulaimon explained.
Angela Nevarez, student, shared that she doesn’t think what users are posting on the app is that serious. “I don’t think the rumors are like that serious. I think they are more like a joking matter.”
Another student, Taylor Debose, explained how she thinks the content posted on the app is “really funny.”
Debose explained how she was waiting for the app to open and downloaded it right away.
Fizz has made it easier for students to harass and bully others due to the posts being labeled as anonymous, causing students to believe that there are no consequences. However, according to the Stanford Daily, posts can easily be traced at any time. Users’ emails and phone numbers are linked to each individual account.
Three undergraduate students at Stanford University who were well-versed in cybersecurity were able to easily hack the app and find out who posted what, according to The Stanford Daily.
The Stanford Daily added, “Fizz did not have the necessary security rules set up, making it possible for anyone to query the database directly and access a significant amount of sensitive user data.”
“We found that phone numbers and/or email addresses for all users were fully accessible, and that posts and upvotes were directly linkable to this identifiable information. It was possible to identify the author of any post on the platform,” explained the Stanford Daily.
While Debose shared being excited for the app to launch, she also explained how certain things being posted need to be further looked into. “Honestly I think like everything that’s done in the dark needs to be brought to light. If it’s true, it needs to be investigated,” said Debose.
To make a report contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@sxu.edu or call 773-298-3123.