The Importance of Social-Media Guidelines

And it isn’t just teachers who will suffer if policy and procedures are not set. A recent report in the Huffington Post details how six middle-school girls were arrested over a Facebook invitation that was sent to other students with the title “Attack A Teacher Day.” The school decided to make an example of these 12- and 13-year-olds. While I completely agree with the need to take these types of situations seriously, does the blame lie solely with the students? The girls claimed it was a joke and they weren’t serious about the invitation. My question is: Would these girls have carried out this act if they clearly understood that it would result in serious consequences?