EDITORIAL
When pictures started surfacing of Willow Smith, 13, and Moises Arias, 20, on a bed together, social media sites everywhere started buzzing.
Magclutchonline.com reported, “It [being on a bed together] is inappropriate given their seven year age difference and his missing shirt.” Clearly, the social media site was implying that because the photo features the two lounging in bed together, him with his shirt off and her leaning on her arm fully clothed, that there was something sexual taking place between the two.
What the social media site failed to mention is that Moises is a close family friend of the Smiths, and has been for the past several years. Perhaps the media should have spent some time checking out the relationship status before creating a social scandal where there was none. Now, as a result of their speed before accuracy reporting, the lives and reputations of those involved have been compromised.
Sources say Willow has been questioned about her and Moises relationship, even though the two obviously appear not to be touching in any way, shape or form. The photos were taken during the weekend of the music jammed Coachella Festival in California along with other harmless photos taken with two together.
The Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services has been in contact with the Smith family about the photo. Certainly their involvement in this case is unwanted and unfortunate and it will likely cause additional stress for those involved. Additionally, after landing at LAX earlier this month Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow’s mom, claimed that there was “nothing sexual about the picture.” She also said,“You guys are projecting your trash onto it, and you’re acting like covert pedophiles, and that’s not cool.”
She’s right. The media jumped to conclusions when it looked to a make a scandalous story about people who had a lot to lose.
In the past, Jada and Will Smith’s parenting skills have been questioned about how they don’t feel the need to punish their children but instead be there as someone to guide them and lend a helping hand when needed. Certainly the Smiths will be doing a lot of guiding and supporting as both Willow and Arias attempt to find some normalcy in their lives.
Willow has taken the matter to Twitter by tweeting “Kids are constantly told they have to be validated by an outside source, in school at home ect… But the truth is, the only one that needs to validate you is you.”
Perhaps those looking for the next big story should spend a little time looking to ‘validate’ their own story with proof and purpose before spreading what might turn out to be nothing more than prattle about a picture.