“PSST.. Did you hear what they said?”

Imagine telling someone a deep secret that you thought you could trust them with. A few days pass and you find out that they went around telling people what you said, but mixed up everything. Now you have people talking about you, and looking at you differently. All because your so called “friend” has a big mouth. 

A rumor is defined as a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth. According to verywellfamily.com, the effects of rumors could lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, anxiety, and a numerous amount of other issues. Rumors can ruin friendships, reputations, and even cause ostracizing behavior and other forms of relational aggression. 

Rumors are powerful and they can cause damage that sometimes can not be undone. It is

something that can circulate around in your school, job, social media, or even in your own home. Sometimes it’s caused by someone you don’t know and you can not figure out how it started. Most times, a rumor is spread  by someone you know. Other times malicious people spread rumors just to see conflict and once you find out who that person is, it can lead to an argument or even a physical fight. The confrontation could make it worse, or perhaps the problem can be fixed, it all depends on the situation and what it is.

UACHS Senior, Shariya Allen thinks rumors are  detrimental to your reputation, because it leads people to believe certain things about you. 

“If you portray yourself as something in school, people are gonna see you as just that,” said Allen. “ Rumors will stick to you especially if you’re a senior, the last thing you do in this school is gonna be the last thing they remember about you.”

  Most situations can be worse if people don’t know you personally. Some teens will run with information, once they hear it. However, how you respond to it will determine if the end result is good or bad.