What If It's True?
Even if it was true that Jake was in big trouble — and you
knew it for a fact — it wouldn't have been right to tell everyone about it.
Try to avoid talking about stuff that would embarrass another person. Before you blab,
try this test: Ask yourself if you would want other people to know that kind of stuff
about you.
Sometimes a friend will admit something to you and ask you not to tell anyone else.
It can be hard not to share a secret, especially when it's something you really want
to talk about with other friends. Maybe you don't even understand why the person wants
you to keep the information a secret.
Sometimes, you may overhear something and your mind starts spinning. But remember
that you might have heard just one piece of the story. Something
like this happened a long time ago, before everyone had TVs in their homes, when
people used to listen to stories on the radio.
On Halloween in 1938, a radio program broadcast a story called "The War of the
Worlds." It was about Martians landing in New Jersey and trying to take over the world.
Sounds crazy, right? Well, the problem was that some people turned on the story in
the middle, and it sounded like it a regular news broadcast. Some people thought it
was actually happening. They didn't hear the introduction, when the announcer explained
that this was just a pretend story. They only heard one piece of
the story and got all confused!
When It's OK to Tell
Of course, sometimes it's OK to talk about another person, especially if it involves
dangerous behavior. What if a classmate brings a pocketknife to school or your friend
tells you she's not eating until she loses 10 pounds? In cases like that, you need
to tell a parent or another trusted adult. Telling a grownup who can help is
not gossiping.
Gossip Busters
The best way to avoid being a part of the gossip mill in your school is to steer
clear of kids who gossip. If you happen to hear a rumor, don't repeat it — and
don't listen to it, either. And when someone trusts you with a personal secret, keep
it to yourself.
If you're the victim of gossip, know that this happens to a lot of people. Talking
to a close friend, sister, brother, parent, or guidance counselor can help you feel
better.
At first, gossip might seem like fun. It can feel like a private little club with
you and your friend whispering about another person. But if someone gossips with
you, he or she also might gossip about you. And it doesn't feel good to be
on the receiving end. Stick with friends who would rather live their own fun lives
than talk about someone else's!