In the age of technology, students are able to utilize different sources of media and online sites to better themselves academically and socially. But technology, specifically social media, being so popular and accessible to high school students, a lot of negative side effects can come with the positives.
One major negative has come to the forefront at GHS, cyberbullying has become a major issue over the years and has become more prevalent this school year. Students post inappropriate and rude comments about people online, message them and their friends mean things and even go to the point of making posts calling out these people. In this specific case at GHS, an anonymous Instagram account was created with the username @greenwoodconfessions. The account contained over 100 followers with around 150 posts where students could send in a Google form response to the account owner with hateful and inappropriate comments concerning their classmates.
Posts included racist comments, calling people names and claiming people were participating in inappropriate activities during school hours. Many of the posts were lies and simply publicity stunts or actions done by students who had drama with other students. Although most of these posts were lies and mostly done by friends attempting to mess with their friends, Principal Michael Gasaway did not take the situation lightly. Two weeks ago during 4th period, Mr. Gasaway got the intercom and announced that the account must be taken down and deleted within a 10-minute time frame or else the owner would be expelled. After speaking with Mr. Gasaway, it was not difficult to understand he does not take cyberbullying and social media hate as a joke.
Mr. Gasaway came to GHS before last school year with one thing in mind: ensuring that every student no matter their background, demographic, ethnicity or sexual orientation was appreciated and given equal opportunity by the whole school. Mr. Gasaway ensures the school as a whole is a positive environment, and making sure students are being positive on social media is an important factor to keeping a positive school environment. Mr. Gasaway and the Tech Department has blocked the ability to reach any social media platform while connected to school wifi, which includes school issued Chromebooks and devices.
Along with blocking social media from the school’s wifi connection, Mr. Gasaway is relying on students to be the voice against cyberbullying. When the situation first arose, it was brought to the attention of administration by students who had been talked about on the page. Many kids went to the staff feeling hurt, betrayed and embarrassed. Mr. Gasaway wants his students to feel like GHS is a place where they feel safe and comfortable, not somewhere they need to be worried. If students ever see anything of this nature online or on social media, they should reach out to the administration or can reach out to Timberlines on any social media platform if they wish to remain anonymous with the administration.
Mr. Gasaway wants students to know that if they see or hear something, they should say something. GHS is not a place for cyberbullying and social media hazing. The situation was disappointing to all faculty and even students. Many people were hurt by the Instagram account, and the school hopes to not see something like this again.
