Lancaster-themed Instagram profiles are being criticized by academic institutions for distributing content seen as ‘demeaning’. A number of Instagram pages rooted in Lancaster have caught the ire of college students following a string of posts disseminating content viewed as degrading. Over the recent weeks, various anonymous disclosure platforms have arisen catering to the Lancaster University students, offering a venue to publicly share their student-life confessions on these platforms without revealing their identity.
But these platforms are now facing criticism from both the student body and the university colleges of Lancaster following a series of confessions that contained ‘demeaning’ explicit remarks about students. The initial resistance began when the well-followed Instagram page, Where Is Guinness, put out a story denouncing the confession feed LancScenes, among others, for lax moderation of their posts. This was following an upload by LancScenes wherein a student made explicit sexual comments regarding a girl playing pool at the campus.
Where Is Guinness appreciated LancScenes for taking down the disputed post, but mentioned that there were ‘more than a few confession sites still publishing explicit revelations’. Amid the controversy, LancScenes stated in their Instagram story that the account’s administration had been cut down from five to three people. The remaining admins reported that two male admins were previous participants in ‘indiscriminately sharing ALL confessions, risking the page’s integrity.’
“Moving forward, the LancScenes page will be governed with utmost responsibility” was their subsequent declaration. Similarly themed but separate from LancScenes is Lancaster Confessions, another burgeoning confession page. Both pages frequently feature admissions wherein students confess to imagining explicit scenarios involving their fellow students of Lancaster University, or make derogatory comments about other students, predominantly female.
One submitter to LancScenes confessed to the pattern of ‘messaging girls until they are drawn to me, sleeping with them, and then casting them aside’. Another post on LancScenes disparaged a girl’s appearance, deeming her to ‘look like a male’. After scandal sparked, Lancaster Confessions has remained silent since last Friday.
Previous posts included intricate portrayals of female students attending lectures, as well as revelations from students dreaming about their classmates at Lancaster University. A few posts outlined more than one explicit confession related to the same male student. Shortly after such content was condemned by Where Is Guinness, Bowland College’s JCR aired the first of eight public college JCR statements on the scandal, voicing their ‘deep apprehension’ concerning these confession pages of Lancaster that ‘propagate public sharing of explicit content involving individuals without their consent.’
The statement also noted, ‘While the JCR encourages student-managed platforms, there is a sharp distinction between harmless content and content encouraging a culture of sexual misconduct.’ The statement continued to express consternation over current trends displayed on these accounts, where users articulated explicit fantasies about unknown individuals, and targeted people who stood no chance of giving consent or responding.
This type behavior was deemed not only unfitting but also damaging to the university community. It results in cultivating an atmosphere where students feel unsafe merely existing in shared spaces both on and off campus. ‘We plead with those managing these pages to demonstrate responsibility by overseeing detrimental contributions and refraining from publishing content that amplifies sexual harassment, demeaning perception, and overall abuse.’
The statement concluded by upholding a safe and respectful university community and underscored that predatory behavior should not be normalized. It marked a tumultuous time and an important dialogue in the Lancaster community, a reminder of the deep responsibilities social media users hold. It is a moment that calls for change.
The era of digital confessions has introduced a new subset of issues, bedded in anonymity and the perceived safety it brings. There is a necessity for content moderation to exist at the forefront of these platforms, to ensure the mental and emotional safety of students from potential harmful comments.
There is further an underlying need to address the pervasive culture of objectification and predatory behavior that comes to light in these public confessions, highlighting deep seated social issues within university communities. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical shift needed in online conduct and interaction.
It is imperative that these platforms heed the call toward responsible management of content that respects the dignity and safety of all students. The messages conveyed by the controversy underscore the need for transformation, calling for a more respectful, inclusive and safe university environment.