Bald for Bieber

I can't believe I missed this, given that I have my tentacles in both the online cancer community and the social media community, but about two weeks ago some folks announced that Justin Bieber had cancer. They photoshopped some pictures and created tweets from a fake Twitter account, and eventually people believed it enough to set up a Bald for Bieber campaign. There was a web page, a Twitter feed, a nice YouTube video with alleged pictures of fans who had shaved their heads in support of the Beebs (with the promise of a free signed copy of his latest CD for those who sent in a picture of their shaved head). Most of it has been taken down, because, of course, it was all a hoax.

Two lessons here.

First, verify. I've read around a little, and I can't find evidence of anyone who actually shaved her head in support of Bieber. Lots of reports that people did, with pictures of people with bald heads or short hair, but nothing that proves anyone actually did it for Bieber. My goodness, I hope if anyone was actually going to do something like that, they'd make it was true, first. It's great when people actually shave their heads in support of someone they know and love (like the singer Kelli Pickler did a couple of months ago). But to do it on a whim for someone you've never met? At least make sure it's true. And that "verify" lesson holds true for pretty much anything you read online about cancer -- who has it, what causes it, how to cure it. Step back and think before you believe.

Second, let it roll off your back. In the aftermath of this hoax, there are people especially upset that this used cancer as part of a prank, and thus it makes light of cancer. I think this makes light of other things -- the passion of Bieber's fans, and the gullibility of lots of internet users, for example -- but it shouldn't cause a lot of hand wringing among cancer patients. It plays on a fear, especially one that would hit Bieber's young fan base especially hard, since it's so mysterious to the young. I saw someone comment that, really, this may just bring a whole lot of awareness about cancer to young people. I'm not so sure about that, not unless they have a very enlightened and caring adult in their life who sees this as a great opportunity for a learning experience. But, at the same time, we have enough to worry about to get too upset about some internet trollers who pulled a prank.

Really, we should be worried about Bieber. He's just had a bad breakup, after all.