So, the very first social media site I was ever on, back when I was in middle school, was a forum run by Cricket magazine called the Chatterbox. The CB was, for me and for many others, the first place where we were able to share our writing and art with a supportive community, and it made me into the writer that I am today. It was also the safest, best-moderated Internet space I have ever been part of. It was the kind of introduction to the Internet that every kid deserves to have.
The CB is shutting down on Monday. They say it is because "Cricket is focusing on other ways to create great experiences for kids and families", but I can read between the lines -- Cricket Media is shutting it down because the company is in dire straits, and they are prioritizing projects that they think will make them money at the expense of the actual children who are part of this community.
I don't know where these kids are going to go now. It is devastating to watch kids' spaces on the Internet be slowly stripped away, and even more devastating to watch this pattern befall a place that was such a significant part of my childhood.
This is a long shot, but I'm posting this here mostly in the hopes of reaching any other former CBers who are on this website now. I'm going to tag everyone I've found through searching for previous mentions of the CB - sorry for the pings. I don't know how many of you have heard already through various circles but I want to reach as many people as possible while we still have a chance to archive things. I think a lot of people have heard already, from what I'm seeing in older threads, but I'm sure some people haven't. If there is already a secret CB alumni Tumblr community sorry to duplicate any potential existing efforts 🫡
@cloverlyartist @atypicalcreature @snandtnurtle @ohsoveryperi @jester-b0mb @nichemagazine @hardestwaypossible @imjunebitch @violatheflower @transxfiles @catboydisaster @eyesofthepotatoes @mithrilbookofmystery @thethingaboutnapkinman @draculaugust
I'm not going to share my CB username publicly because the Internet safety the admins drilled into us does exist for a reason but hmu if you are also a former CBer and I'm happy to share.
