Bathroom Wall (http://www.facebook.com/bathroomwall)

common sense media says

Mean-spirited Facebook app encourages bad behavior.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this aptly named application lets users anonymously post "secrets" on a "wall" on Facebook. This site attracts the same raunchy comments found scrawled on real stalls, with the potential for embarrassment limited only by the reach of the Internet.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Ugly gossip, graphic sex talk, and outright putdowns -- "I hate Courtney" -- rule the day. Not every post is nasty; a few kids step up to defend peers being dragged through the mud. But positive interactions are the exception. 
Violence: Nothing overt, although the nature of the community fosters some shocking posts, such as one that suggests a female virgin could solve her problem with a pair of scissors.
Sex: Sex references are rampant, with some teens posting short stories whose plots revolve around budding sexual relationships, some with teachers.
Language: S--t, bitch, f--k and worse. Kids easily trick the profanity filter by inserting a period into the offending word. In the Bathroom Wall chatroom, some of the handles users give themselves could be the names of porn stars.
Consumerism: Most pages have text ads for products ranging from vacation destinations to face cream. The Wall itself sports obnoxious IQ test ads that masquerade as email notifications. When clicked some say, "One of your buddies thinks you're stupid."
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Bathroom Wall

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about all the reasons this Facebook tool should be avoided. Its chief aim -- to promote gossip -- is the least of it. The twisted kicker: users are forced to invite the very Facebook “friends” who will humiliate them. As unsavory as this app is, it’s a good springboard for discussing friendship. What are the differences between real pals and pretenders? How does the Internet blur the line even further? Kids need to be reminded that what goes around comes around; just as in real life, the digital backstabbers are likely to be exposed eventually. The big difference is that unlike in real life, where walls can be painted over, Bathroom Wall preserves ugly sentiments in a digital footprint that can haunt the owner for years to come. Read our Social Network Tips for more guidance.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
One shudders to imagine what Bathroom Wall was like before Facebook threatened to close it down for hate talk. It could be argued that the content is the fault of the users, but most of the blame must lie with the app's adult creator. Is it any wonder most kids use this intentionally trashy tool to belittle rather than befriend? Shame on Lee Kuo for capitalizing on adolescent insecurities while hiding behind his own anonymous Facebook profile. What's next? An application called Locker Room?

Online interaction: Kids learn they can badmouth friends with apparent impunity. A few use Bathroom Wall for other purposes, such as role playing or posting short fiction, but the latter are mostly sex stories.


This review was written by Carla Thornton
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13

Most useful reviews by all members

sexii babii ...
teen, 18 years old
 
itz kwl
itz realy gud n its rite 4 ma age 2.

crissreviews
teen, 14 years old
 
Interesting....

 
if you ask me i think its wrong how kids can go in and write things about other people on the bathroom wall its childish and i wouldn't recommend anyone go on that website

GrrrLOLgirl
teen, 14 years old
 
It is soooo not safe I mean only bad parents make a bad kid STOP USING THIS ITS FOR CREEPS!!!

internetpro
kid, 11 years old
 
SO NOT SAFE
ITS NOT SAFE ppl can hunt u down by there there can be a guy making a life out of teens

MOVIE13
teen, 14 years old
 
BORING
this site is really, really boring!

heymonday101
teen, 15 years old
 
I LOVE IT!!!!!!

keeshee
teen, 16 years old
 
awful app, needs to go
i hate bathroom wall. all everyone does is say rude and nasty things about others.

Coolnone
teen, 15 years old
 
You really shouldn't go on this website under the age of 13.
If you are under 13, you shouldn't go on this website. I'm not making any of you people do this, but this is just what a think is right. No affence for all you 10 year olds who go on this website. When I went on this website, I noticed alot of bad laugage. But to tell the truth, I think this is a really cool website.

Its fine
teen, 17 years old
 
It's good, everyone only talks about the bad things, there are plenty of good ones.
Yes, some people post bad things, but others use Bathroom Wall to post stories, or novels that are not yet published. They just want feedback! Bathroom Wall has tried to make the site safe by automatically censoring bad words, but people just put a dot in the middle. (eg, *u.*k)

sdawnarian
teen, 14 years old
 
disgusting
this is bad bad bad bad bad so many mean things are said there talk about having sex with others descriptive nudity language is a big problem don't let your kids use it i don't think anyone should be able to use it

mediamom43
parent of 13 year old
 
THIS WALL NEEDS TO BE TORN DOWN.
Well, its no wonder that people are complaining to me that the kids now adays learn about sex from the web, cuz of sites such as this! I can truly say my child is mature enough and sensible enough to where she does not even have a desire to go to sites like this, in our generation, we never even thought of talking about this kind of stuff.(Unless it was with our parents). To add it to a "wall?" and we worry about bad peer pressure? Its no wonder.....

woofcat23
kid, 11 years old
 
i dont really recommend this
this is not educational (obviously), has voilence, sexual behavior, and bad language. i wouldnt say its for kids around the age 12 or younger

F-Zero studios
teen, 14 years old
 
older teens and adults can look at this site 17+
17+ only not good very dull website

Squid Kid
kid, 13 years old
 
Ignore It
Full of cusses. Way too much sex and swearing! It does live up to its name!!!

ghd rettetang
educator and parent
 
ghd rettetang
GOOD

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