Fizzling Fizz Management

In a screenshot posted to the @fizzloyolachicago Instagram story Nov. 4, the anonymous account manager revealed they’d no longer manage the account.

Fizz is a community discussion app where users can share posts or comments under anonymous profiles, according to the platform’s webpage. University communities such as Loyola’s are private servers, where enrollment or a valid university email is required in order to gain access to the app. 

Paired with the Kelly Clarkson song “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger,” the screenshot the manager of the account shared showed texts between them and another party. The other party informed the manager they were making adjustments to the program and would conclude the “Instagram Manager” position in its “current form.”

Since October 12, 2023, the account regularly released updates via Instagram posts on the highest-rated Fizz content every 4 to 5 days. The account has gone quiet since its last post Oct. 29. 

The message further explained that the ambassador would “no longer be responsible for managing or posting” on the school’s Instagram account.

“Fizz simply made a change to its Instagram management program,” Loyola Fizz wrote in an email to The Phoenix. “This will have no effect on the Loyola Chicago Fizz community or any other Fizz community.”

First-year criminal justice major Reyna Gomez said she began using Fizz in her freshman year. While she said she’s had little involvement with the Instagram account, her classmate mentioned the moderator’s inactivity while on a walk home. 

“I heard from the person who I was walking with that they got kicked out,” Gomez said. “But we didn’t know why so I just ignored it.”

Although activity on Loyola Fizz’s Instagram resumed Nov. 18, the brief overhaul raises questions regarding who’s running social media accounts geared towards Loyola students. Last year, Loyola’s now inactive barstool account @barstoolblers suddenly went quiet, The Phoenix previously reported. 

The current operator of the account didn’t respond to The Phoenix’s request for comment by the time of publication. 

First-year cybersecurity major Yitbarek Mulugeta said he first used the Fizz app two weeks into his time at Loyola, sparked by his interest in how it functioned similarly to the social media app YikYak.

Since engaging with the app, Mulugeta said he appreciates the anonymous profiles on the app as they allow people to share their experiences more openly and stay informed about events on a more urban campus. He said he felt confused as to why there was an Instagram for Loyola’s Fizz Community. 

“There’s an option that says ‘What’s Fizzing,’ which you can already see on the app,” Mulugeta said. “So I think the Instagram is kind of pointless.”

Second-year entrepreneurship major Tegan Raine said she finds value in the Instagram account as she isn’t on the Fizz app as often. She noticed she hadn’t seen much activity on her feed recently, but was unaware the manager was no longer on the account. 

Despite finding the account helpful for keeping up with campus gossip, Raine said she feels indifferent about @fizzloyolachicago’s future. She explained the account doesn’t specifically do anything other than spread gossip, which she said isn’t helpful to anyone. 

“I think university accounts are important and make everyone feel together,” Raine said. “But some of the posts were mean and bullying half the time.”

Fifth-year marketing, accounting and information systems major Tella Raphael-McElroy remembers witnessing efforts to promote Fizz on Loyola’s Campus from her earlier years as a student. She recalls tactics including distributing donuts as well as the launch of the Instagram account to push students online. 

As the Fizz app has gained a more established presence on campus, McElroy said the effects of Instagram’s Fizz promotion has become less impactful. She said she still enjoyed using both the app and the account while she had it. 

Second-year nursing major Kimora Chloe Punsalan said she followed the Instagram account her freshman year rather than downloading the app to save storage on her phone. She said she gained interest in the account as she found the content relatable. 

Punsalan said she doesn’t have any assumptions on what could have happened to the account’s manager, but believes the content will come back. 

“I hope it comes back because it’s funny,” Punsalan said. “It may not be super important as students don’t really need this, but I feel like it just makes some people’s day.” 

To address concerns surrounding Fizz, Loyola’s Student Government (SGLC) hosted “Standing on Fizzness” in order to promote healthy online engagement through social media apps geared towards students. 

SGLC Chief Diversity Officer to Administrators Kailani Moore said the most common concerns students had were surrounding posts involving photos of people without their consent and name-dropping incidents which exposed students to harassment. 

“Of course it’s all anonymous and you can’t trace who said these things. I think that’s what makes people emboldened to make these posts,” Moore said. “We’re trying to understand why people engage in these behaviors.” 

While Moore said these issues cause harmful behavior, she recognizes how such apps give a sense of belonging and community. The workshop also encourages students to reflect inwardly on their own character and motivations towards their posts. 

In regards to the disappearance of the @fizzloyolachicago’s manager, Moore said she wasn’t aware of the situation, yet believes a replacement is likely. 

“I think it’s important to see about what’s going on around campus through a certain lens,” Moore said. “It comes down to respecting the community that we have. If there is one, I hope a new manager would have those values in mind as they post things on Instagram.”