Understanding and Addressing Chain Mail Messages: Teresa Fidalgo Example
The provided text exemplifies a chain mail message, specifically a variant of the Teresa Fidalgo urban legend, designed to induce fear and compel the recipient to forward the message to a large number of people. These messages are often based on superstition and exploit fear of negative consequences to achieve viral spread.
The message presented is a typical example of a chain mail. It begins with an apology for sending the message, immediately followed by the imposition of a 'challenge' that begins upon opening the message. This immediate framing aims to quickly capture the recipient's attention and sense of obligation.
The core of the message centers around the urban legend of Teresa Fidalgo, claiming she died 27 years ago. The message uses the implied threat of Teresa Fidalgo sleeping by the recipient's side forever as a consequence for not forwarding the message to 20 people. This relies on superstition and the fear of the unknown to compel action.
The message further attempts to validate its claims by urging the recipient to search for Teresa Fidalgo online, likely hoping to find information related to the urban legend and thus reinforce the message's credibility, however spurious that may be.
To increase the sense of urgency and fear, the message includes an anecdotal story about a girl who ignored the message, resulting in her mother's death 20 days later. This is a common tactic used in chain mail to associate negative consequences with non-compliance.
The phrase '(no send backs)' is a common element in chain mail, designed to eliminate any possibility of refusing to participate in the chain once it has been started. It removes the option of simply acknowledging the message without forwarding it, thus reinforcing the pressure to comply with the demands of the message.
The screenshot also includes options related to the message request itself. The user can either 'Accept', 'Delete', or 'Report' the message. Reporting the message is the recommended course of action in most cases, especially if the content is inappropriate or constitutes harassment. Deleting the message removes it from view, but does not address the issue of the sender spreading potentially harmful content.
Key points
- Identifies a chain mail message based on the Teresa Fidalgo legend.
- Highlights the use of fear and superstition to induce forwarding.
- Emphasizes the implied threat of negative consequences for non-compliance.
- Points out the directive to send the message to a specific number of people (20).
- Notes the use of anecdotal evidence (a girl's mom dying) to reinforce the threat.
- Shows the 'no send backs' instruction, creating pressure to comply.
- Indicates the message received as a request.
- Clarifies the limitations set on messages until the user accepts the request.