I believe we all remember the incident on the 7th of January when we returned to school from winter break. It seemed like no one knew what actually happened, and as students do, they started creating rumors about the situation. Some of the rumors I heard included: “Supposedly, someone jumped the school’s fence with a ski mask on,” “Oh, I heard policemen came in and had a kid at gunpoint,” and “Someone said there was a shooting threat.” People tend to enjoy rumors since they give them something to talk about.

I was not able to reach out to the office about what actually happened, but I am here to talk about rumors and the negative effects they can have. (Keep in mind this is not targeted toward the situation on the 7th, though the quick spread of rumors did bring attention to the club to make this article.) I also want to clarify that these were rumors I heard from students around campus and not the actual cause of the lockdown.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I am going to discuss the effects that rumors can have.

Rumors often seem like harmless gossip, but what about their consequences? While some may be insignificant, most are harmful to those they target. The effects of rumors can include damaging someone’s reputation, harming mental health, creating conflicts of trust, reducing productivity and performance, causing isolation, impacting relationships, and deteriorating overall well-being. No one really takes the time to acknowledge how deeply a rumor can actually affect a person.

How would you feel if someone were spreading false rumors about you? Lies or exaggerations that made you look bad? It is important to recognize that this is wrong and to think before speaking: Would I like it if this were done to me? Keeping these things in mind is essential. Rumors can even lead those affected toward depression, anxiety, and other serious issues. You yourself can help avoid spreading rumors and prevent hurting those around you.

Here are some ways to keep yourself and others safe from the harm of rumors:

• If you hear or take part in a conversation where gossip or rumors are being spread, make sure you don’t contribute to spreading them further. You can also express that you do not want to take part in such conversations.
• If you know the truth, you can help by correcting misinformation and letting people know that what they heard was just a rumor.
• If you understand what is making the rumor seem credible, you can try to stop it by addressing the source.
• Confronting the person who started the rumor may help clarify their intentions and resolve misunderstandings.
• If you know someone prone to spreading rumors, avoid sharing personal information that could be twisted or used against you.

By following these tips, you can prevent rumors from spreading about yourself and help put an end to harmful gossip in your community.