When Drama Goes Too Far

Since the birth of social media, teen drama has shifted in its conflict.  The internet has given its users a curtain to hide behind when instigating drama.  Marwick and Boyd write "Understanding how “drama” operates is necessary to recognize teens’ own defenses against the realities of aggression, gossip, and bullying in networked publics".  The drama that teens are able to create with Facebook has become more brutal since it is not a face to face interactions.  Actions on social media sites are seen without any sort of repercussions because the internet doesn't have any "laws" and subsists.   

Facebook drama has escalated into physical confrontations.  In some cases, it has even led to murder.  In the case of Venita Allen, the drama was caused by a breakup.  She was shot by her ex-boyfriend after drama on Facebook.  The problem that teens of the future will face is the ability to create conflict on the internet.  Access to other people's information has become so easy that creating slanderous content for everyone to see. These conflicts spread so quickly now since people are able to like, comment and share status updates.  This new way of posting makes dividing the sides of drama much easier and brutal.  And with the amount of transparency that Facebook has, it only makes the drama more direct.

The drama that teens can carryout on Facebook will only escalate with the amount of users.  The amount of legislation that needs to exist with Facebook.  The deaths and suicides linked to Facebook will increase and need enforcement.