In recent years, social media networks and other fast-paced means of communication such as Facebook, Twitter and texting have skyrocketed and become part of daily life. However, Facebook isn’t always the safest place on the internet, especially for teens. Personal information is readily available, and others can see what you post. A big problem that has arisen with Facebook, and other sites, is cyber bullying. 

Bullying has happened in schools for years; there are always kids who enjoy harassing other students. Bullying used to be a face-to-face issue, but with the invention of social media networks the number of bullying reports in schools have increased exponentially.

“I think because they’re not looking at someone’s face and getting a reaction (It’s easier for them to say hurtful things),” said Nancy Hume, head guidance counselor at BUHS. 

“It’s stupid,” said senior Princess Waritay. “I feel like if you have low-self-esteem and the best way you can prove your point is to hide behind a computer, it makes you less of a person, you don’t have any self-respect, and you need to find something else with to do with your free-time (or) find some help.”

Even though cyber bullying primarily comes from the home, schools are legally permitted to involve themselves in an issue if a student feels unsafe or if the bullying affects the learning environment.

“As far as school is concerned we have had probably four students (this year) suspended for threats and intimidation through Facebook,” said Pete June, BUHS assistant principal. “One of those people was arrested and facing criminal charges ... we had her charged on cyber bullying.” 

June said It was a he said/she said case, and after they were told to stop, one of the girls posted on Facebook. It was printed it out, and the issue continued. The girls got into a fight at school, both girls were suspended, but the one who was still posting things was arrested. He went on to explain that while she was arrested because she started a fight, it was also for continuing to post threats on Facebook - that was a violation of not only district policy, but state and federal laws as well.

Another thing about cyber bullying is that if your name is tied to something then you can’t deny you posted it. A good example is the memes page on Facebook that many schools like Millennium and Estrella Foothills have that are in the news lately. The students who run it have their names tied to it openly, and when people submit pictures their names are also tied to it. This could be a problem for these students because right now these meme pages are borderline cyber bullying, especially when they name specific students in their meme. With cyber bullying, evidence can be printed out and used as evidence in court.

“It’s one thing when I say something to you verbally, because then it becomes a he said/she said, but it’s another thing when it’s posted online,” said Will Seward, assistant principal at BUHS. “That doesn’t go away. It’s in cyberspace somewhere, so that can be printed out and you can’t deny it. The other thing that’s come up ... is that everything is left up to interpretation, you didn’t intend it to be conceived as something bad but it can be interpreted that way.”

Sexting is another problem that has developed with social media. Sexting is defined as: “the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobile phones.” Recent surveys show that as many as one in five teens in the United States has sent or received a sext, but many don’t know the potential consequences if they’re underage.

“In the state of Arizona, right now it is considered a class one misdemeanor,” said BUHS school resource officer Alejandro Perez. “Technically what you’re doing is promoting child pornography -- for anyone who is under 18.”

Disregarding legal implications, sexting can be dangerous in other ways. Once a picture is sent, it can easily be passed around.

“The truth is, it’s going to happen,” said senior Jennifer Shearer. “Keep your face out of it because what you do today can haunt you fifteen years from now. It’s not worth the risk.”

SOCIAL SAFETY

A few steps students should take to protect themselves on the Interent:

If you don’t want your grandma or • your pastor to see it, don’t post it

Don’t post personal information that • makes it easy for others to find you (such as Facebook’s location finder)

Use the highest privacy settings on • Facebook

Don’t give out your Facebook • password, even to friends

Ask your friends not to tag you in • pictures; you might not want other people seeing some of them

Before applying for college or a job • scour your Facebook for information that could be harmful, or close your Facebook page before applying

Never post your phone number • publicly

Don’t accept friends that you don’t • know

Remember that anything that you post • on Facebook can be printed out and used as evidence in a court case if you get in trouble

Above all, use your common sense • about what you post online!