Articles by AnnamalSF

So evidently MTV is teaming up with Foursquare to encourage teens to get checked out for STDs. Their campaign is called “GYT” Get Yourself Tested. They’re tying to make getting tested cool. I think it’s a good idea, but I just don’t feel like Foursquare is the best partner for this.

In case you don’t know anything about Foursquare, it’s a smart phone application that tells friends and strangers where you are. It’s a way to broadcast to your fans how social you are and how many cool places you’ve been. It’s also a great tool for stalkers. But that’s beside the point. You can also earn badges for places you visit and things you do. They look something like these:

So I understand teenagers like to follow what everyone else is doing and brag about what they do, but going to the clinic to get checked for STDs isn’t one of them.

“Sally May just checked in to Planned Parenthood.”

Am I right? No one wants to broadcast that, let alone get a special badge showing you got tested. You may as well have a Scarlet Letter on your page. To prove my argument, here is a sample of what it could look like:

We coined this new STD badge, the “Vadge.” Seems more appropriate no?

Don’t worry, we thought of a badge for the boys too:

So go now, get tested and get your Vadge!
Announce it to the world!
I HAVE CRABS!!
Or don’t.