Because adolescence is a blithesome, tranquil time when we treat our peers with the tenderest sympathy and respect, a number of English secondary school students have created anonymous Instagram accounts inspired by the show Gossip Girl.
And alas, the youth of Doncaster are not using these accounts as opportunities to share affirming thoughts about their fellow classmates. (Shocking, I know.) The Daily Mail reports that McAuley Catholic High School in Doncaster, South Yorkshire is investigating one such Instagram account “where comments have been made about students’ alleged sexual activity.” The police are involved in the investigation, and pupils have been admonished that “they could face criminal proceedings” if they are found responsible for creating the account, or even commenting on it.
In case you need a refresher, Gossip Girl, which aired from 2007 until 2012, chronicles the lives of posh prep school students from the Upper East Side in Manhattan. An anonymous blogger narrates the show, divulging the juiciest stories involving this crowd of extremely white, privileged, and genetically anointed youths.