what is a burn book?

A burn book is a type of journal wherein people write negative and personal information about other people. It usually serves as a source of gossip and hearsay that can be abusive, false and hurtful. While its exact origins are unknown, it is believed to have been popularized in the 2004 movie Mean Girls, where the main character, Regina George (played by Rachel McAdams), creates a burn book of gossip and hurtful comments about her peers and enemies.

Burn books are used to target, harass and bully others in numerous ways. The contents may include things like rumors, embarrassing facts or images about the targeted person(s). These items are then shared among the burner's circle of friends to spread malicious stories or damaging opinions about that person. The effects of such a book can have serious implications ranging from physical and emotional harm to reputation destruction — all resulting from bullying based on false information or intentional manipulation.

While burn books are often aimed at teenagers, they can also target adults as well. The rise of online platforms where users can anonymously post hurtful comments has made this activity increasingly common in our society in recent years. As an effort to stop this destructive behavior, many schools have implemented strict policies against bullying and hate speech, with some even establishing cyber-bullying task forces in order to curb harassment on the internet.