‘Spotted’ under fire

A new Facebook page called ‘Spotted: Warwick Uni Library’ has attracted over 3,700 likes but also widespread criticism at the University since the beginning of term.

The page encourages students at the University to report any sightings they deem notable to the moderator of the page, who re-posts the comments anonymously.

The identity of the page’s creator is unknown, and recently some concerns have been voiced by students who are alarmed at the overtly sexual nature of some posts, which are not moderated.

Although most comments on the Warwick ‘Spotted’ page appear innocuous, one posted on January 17 reads: “To the girl a few seats away from me eating a tasty sandwich – I want you to make me a tasty sandwich of my dick between your lips,” whilst other posts feature photos of people in the library, including one girl who is sleeping.

One female student, who did not wish to be named called the page “a violation of privacy”. She said: “Some of the comments leave me scared to go into the library. Although no names are used in the posts, when people post pictures of others in the library it can cause offence and embarrassment. It shouldn’t be allowed.”

Will Clayton, a first year Accounting and Finance student agreed. He said: “People don’t have a choice about their picture being put online, so it could offend them as nothing is moderated.”

Nick Swain, president of Warwick students’ union (SU) believed the page should be kept light-hearted. He said: “As long as the page is only posting harmless fun, not comments at the expense of others, then it’s absolutely fine.

“I personally think it is already in danger of going too far, but it is up to the readers to report it if they feel that it’s inappropriate.”

Other Warwick students disagreed, arguing that the page was inoffensive. Luke Cohen called the Facebook page “an innocent bit of fun” whilst Chloe Edwards thought it was “a nice break from studying”.

Second-year English student, Sean Enosakhare Okundaye agreed, but pointed out the dangers of internet “trolling.” He said: “I think for the most part it’s humorous, gentle fun.

“However it should be treated with caution because it can be used as a way for people to be venomous under guise of anonymity. Also some of the posts can come across as a tad lecherous.”

Concerns from Warwick students come after ‘Spotted’ pages at other universities have caused controversy. The University of Leicester’s ‘Spotted’ page features extremely explicit comments which second-year student, Zoe Faircloth, called “disgusting”.

She said: “I just want to go into the library to study, without the fear of someone taking a picture of me and verbally abusing me over the internet.”

The ‘Spotted’ pages at York and Exeter universities have also been closed down.

The University of York’s ‘Spotted’ page was deleted after angry students set up an opposing Facebook page, ‘Stopped’ to protest against some of the comments viewed as offensive.

The University of Exeter called for the ‘Spotted: Exeter Library’ to be shut down, after the page administrator posted a picture of a student exposing himself.

University bosses at Exeter said that it was inappropriate to target revising students, and that people could even ruin their own job prospects as a result of commenting on the page.