Gossip sites get dirty

How would you feel if someone posted your pictures on the Internet and claimed you were a walking STD or the most self-centered person on campus? A civilian paparazzi site created by Nik Richie called thedirty.com has been getting a lot of recognition and hype lately.

This site has caused quite the controversy surrounding college campuses and encourages over the top comments. Tipsters will send in photos, rumors and gossip to creator Richie about people they know and then Richie takes these posts and adds his own snarky comments to the forum and lets his "dirty army" of readers take over.

A recent college graduate named Brie from Denver is one of the many victims targeted by this malicious website and was informed by a friend, while on vacation, that her photos were posted on the dirty.com.

Brie said, "Everyone is a potential target for the website especially if you consider yourself to be outgoing and social." An anonymous reader from the dirty.com posted this quote on Brie's forum, "This is Trashy Ash and Eezy Breezy. They do everything together from snorting the white stuff to helping each other barf after meals."

CU Boulder is not yet featured on the website, however, there is some discussion surrounding whether or not Nik Richie should add Boulder to the gossip. Boulder's very own festival during 4/20 has gained recognition on the site; the sites regular readers called the "dirty army" posted, "Nik, this is the University of Colorado's favorite holiday. A bunch of people protesting marijuana laws by smoking enough pot to make Bob Marley rise again."

Thedirty.com is only one of many gossip sites that's information leads to cyber bullying. Due to recent suicides related to cyber bullying, the site's creator is beginning to rethink its vindictive content.