We have often noted the unintended consequences of student antics in an Instragram world.

Yale student Caroline Posner has some thoughtful observations on the potential aftermath of student commentary in online emotional revelations:

…But with Internet anonymity, as we all heard in middle school, comes a number of concerns — and Yale PostSecret is certainly not exempt. A chance at invisibility, coupled with the promise of a wide audience, manifests itself in many forms: multi-paragraph monologues on feelings of desire, objections to campus stereotypes of full-tuition students, regrets about sexual relationships with teaching fellows. It’s also given rise to an alarming number of posts about suicidal ideations, lack of self-worth and episodes of humiliation. The heavier posts share a home with thoughts that make a mockery of the anonymous confession project: Right below a post confessing romantic infidelity is the status, “I kissed a squirrel and I liked it.”

The anonymous platform seems like it has inherently good aims, and the opportunity to express personal strife isn’t necessarily dangerous or bad. Casper Daugaard ’13, a frequent commenter on Yale PostSecret statuses, says he is “sure that for every confession that someone makes, there are hundreds of other Yalies who feel the same way, about academics, sexual identity or an evil ex.” The responses to many confessions speak to the affirmative, with students — in this case no longer anonymous — echoing the sentiments of their peers. “It can be really comforting to see you’re not alone, and benefit from any advice folks post,” Daugaard says.

Perhaps that’s the most insidious issue with this site and others like it, though: the propensity of students to try taking on the roles of counselors and even psychologists for their peers. It’s benign enough to offer words of comfort, assent, and appreciation in mild situations. The scenario is complicated, though, when students attempt to respond to posts like the several recent confessions of depression and suicidal thoughts. Some students smartly recommend outside resources like Walden and Yale Health. But emoticon-riddled messages of compassion, well-intentioned as they may be, aren’t a substitute for real counseling; making a confession to Yale PostSecret cannot replace seeking a qualified counselor, therapist or psychiatrist.