As students become more involved with social media, administration is sometimes forced to step in.
With the power of social media it makes it more stressful for students in school. Photo by Henna Danek
Social media sites are becoming an everyday necessity to many students, both in and out of school.
Services like Facebook and Twitter are over populated with energetic teenagers eager to share their thoughts and actions. Lately, it seems that many teens are utilizing such websites to post personal information that could sometimes end with arguing and disputes. TJ Assistant Principal, Mike Christoff, says the majority of students involved in disputes over social media sites are simply looking for attention. “Many times disputes are started with students reading posts on Facebook or Twitter that end up not being about them. They take offense when [in reality] it’s typically just a misunderstanding,” said Christoff. Many times arguments are started because of student threats or disrespect towards family members through posts, leading to altercations between students and, in some cases, cyber bullying.
Christoff sees social media sites like Facebook and Twitter as both good and bad things. “Many colleges and jobs use these sites to get an inside look at people,” he says, “but sometimes students are not mature enough and post things they shouldn’t on the Internet. I wish [media sites] were used for more positive reasons.”
The TJ Social Worker, Samanda Davis, says, “I see social media as something that can be dangerous and has the possibility of hurting people.” Davis says she believes the reason why sites like Facebook and Twitter are dangerous is because there are no adults supervising what is posted on the Internet, leading to disputes and sometimes even cyber bullying. Many times students will contact school officials to let them know of issues they have encountered over the Internet. When an altercation does rise that to that level of severity, the school staff will not hesitate to get involved and attempt to assist in any possible way.
TJ’s Dean of Students, Mike Laurita, also gets contacted whenever an argument among students is started over the Internet. “We try to stay out of the student’s business, but sometimes the school must get involved,” said Laurita. When a situation gets out of hand, school administrators will check social networks to see recent posts of students. Laurita says, “Students shouldn’t post personal information up on sites; they should at least keep private their personal information.”
Other staff members also agree with Laurita’s comment. “Students need to be conscious that there is nothing on the Internet that isn’t traceable,” says Davis.
Some believe that a solution to all of this is to simply get rid of social networking sites in order to keep them away from students to avoid altercations. Students like Sophomore Jacobo Uribe consider this more of a problem than a solution. “I wouldn’t know what to do with my free time. I pretty much post something everyday,” he said.
Senior Bryn Segall views social media sites an essential part of being a teenager. “We need sites like Facebook and Twitter because they’re fun!”
Senior Ashley Fulkerson also shares the same view, “I would be really depressed! Facebook is a place where you can express your emotions and show your creativity; it’s like an Internet diary.”
Calvin Dunkin, a second year student here at TJ, wouldn’t mind if social networking sites were all taken down. “Its okay, I still have texting,” he said.
Senior Tony Rivera says, “I wouldn’t care. I hardly ever post anything anyway.”
Social media sites are almost unavoidable with all the technology surrounding not only students, but teachers as well. The Internet can be dangerous unless the proper precautions are taken. Students should keep certain personal information off the Internet in order to avoid disputes amongst other social media users.
