There is a three-letter epidemic spreading through the halls of not only WHS, but high schools worldwide. It is flowing out the windows of the schools, zipping around the internet and flying through texts. “KYS,” an acronym for “kill yourself,” is a new and wildly popular insult.

Some people say that “KYS” is just a phase in the bad word revolution. This revolution is sweeping the internet. Most perpetrators are saying, “it’s no big deal.”

But the truth it, it is a big deal. The rates of teen suicide are higher than ever. Due to the rapidity of the internet and social networking, instantaneous and offensive remarks can be sent freely with the click of a button. Students are valuing how they appear on the internet and the quality of their insults over the happiness of others.

It is clear that suicide is not a joke, death is not a funny insult to laugh about and joking about it is not a means for an increase in popularity.

The apparently “joking” insult of KYS has in turn killed something that used to be a very near and dear value. The idea of ‘individuality’ is somewhere above us, slaughtered by a slice of today’s teens who showed poor old ‘individuality’ no mercy.

Why would someone say something so sadistic and horrendous? This question could be answered with a look into the concept of conformity. Students strive to “fit in” in this materialistic world, buying certain clothing as an external loss of the battle with conformity. Now, clothing is not enough. Someone set a phrase (such as “KYS”) and it snowballs to everyone else.

I can’t even conceive that all of these kids wish death upon others, even in a joking matter. Those students who do not conform, do not give up their personalities or do not pick up the offensive slang way of speaking are often shunned, deemed strange or targeted with the insult themselves. If they fight back, they generally end up losing an arm and a leg full of self-esteem.

The social networking is instant—if something embarrassing or “hilarious” occurs in one class, you can safely bet that the rest of the school will be alerted within the next 3-5 minutes.

Are the people so wrong to surrender to society and join the revolution in attempt to live free of ridicule? It depends on how willing a person is to fight. There is still hope that one of the “KYS” supporting conformists will break free. All they need to do is stay strong and risk the side effects of a “social suicide” that is, unfortunately, bound to occur in our reality.