It’s a bizarre social media trend that no one saw coming – and it eventually led to the official Harvard University Facebook age receiving increased online traction over the past several days from one unexpected country: the Philippines.
Apparently, numerous Filipino netizens are flocking to the university’s page, leaving thousands of random comments on several posts and sharing fake memories as they pretended to be former or current students there.
Remy the cat visited with some friends, who were taking a socially-distanced break in Harvard Yard.Photo: Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
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Of course, a quick glance at the profiles of those who commented here – and on other Harvard posts – show that these Filipinos never actually studied in the prestigious university.
Beautiful day on the Charles.Photo: Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
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Meanwhile, real Harvard students were left confused not only because of the out-of-nowhere comments but because many have also been written in the Filipino language.
A quiet day at Harvard Medical School.Photo: Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
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In a very different move-in this year, a limited number of students were welcomed to campus yesterday. Photo: Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
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Again, no one is exactly sure about how the cringe-worthy trend started but some pointed out that the Filipinos who participated may simply be doing it because they think it was fun and no big deal.
Eventually, some Harvard students and even some Filipinos openly expressed their displeasure about others’ irresponsible use of social media.
One, for example, pointed out that the jokes are “not funny at all” and are “plain stupid,” especially now that legitimate students are frequently checking the page for information about the start of classes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
So far, Harvard has not issued any statements about the issue.
This content was originally published here.