Summary of "College student reflects on impact of viral online rumor that 'ruined' her life"
Summary
Mary Kate Cornet, a freshman at the University of Mississippi (Old Miss), shared in her first TV interview how a false and malicious online rumor drastically impacted her life. In February, a viral internet rumor falsely claimed that an Old Miss sorority sister had an affair with her boyfriend’s father, and Cornet’s name and photo were mistakenly linked to the story. The rumor quickly became a top trending topic on Twitter, making her the number one trending topic in the U.S. within hours.
Cornet described the intense harassment she endured, including thousands of hateful texts, calls, and voicemails telling her to kill herself. Her phone number was shared publicly, and she faced severe emotional distress, including physical symptoms like vomiting due to anxiety. The harassment forced her to switch to online classes, and a fake 911 call even sent police to her mother’s house.
The rumor was amplified when ESPN host Pat McAfee mentioned it on his show without naming Cornet, which worsened her situation. She expressed disappointment that public figures she admired contributed to spreading the rumor for views without any apology. ESPN and McAfee declined to comment on the matter.
Cornet’s lawyer confirmed she is a victim of defamation and cyberbullying, noting that while laws are evolving to address online harassment and fake content, legal protections are still catching up with the rapid spread of misinformation on social media. Cornet emphasized the lasting damage caused by the rumor and the loneliness of being targeted by strangers online.
She is now seeking justice and support, leaning on her family and friends during this difficult time. Cornet urged those responsible to understand the real, lasting consequences of their actions on innocent people’s lives.
Presenters/Contributors:
- Mary Kate Cornet (Interviewee)
- Tom Yamos (NBC News Reporter)
Category
News and Commentary
