A middle school in Chester County, Pennsylvania, had students who impersonated instructors on TikTok, according to school officials. There was pornographic, racist, and homophobic video material on these accounts.
A group of eighth-grade students from Chester County’s Great Valley School District (GVSD) allegedly created over twenty fake TikTok accounts while impersonating their instructors. The accounts contained improper and inflammatory information, including derogatory comments, nasty memes, and rumors regarding employees.
District Superintendent Daniel Goffredo voiced his disappointment at the widespread media coverage of GVSD’s actions, saying he would want to convey his profound dismay and grief at the effect that his students’ actions have had on employees.
A Spanish instructor at Great Valley Middle School came across a profile that included an actual photo of herself, her husband, and their little children at a beach.
A disgusting question concerning a desire to touch children was asked in Spanish over the family vacation photo. The conclusion answer was “si.”
In addition, the district met with each impacted educator separately to hear their concerns. They connected educators with counseling services and gave them tools to help them be safe while using the internet. The district also deleted all instructor profiles from its website. According to the spokesman, they also invited the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office to address middle school families and kids on the appropriate utilization of social media.
The district, according to Goffredo, looked into it, contacted the local police, and found some of the accounts. But there could be more phony TikTok accounts yet discovered.
Although the district did not specify what disciplinary procedures were taken against the pupils, it did take action against some of them.
Goffredo said it may be tempting to respond in a manner that implies students should have faced stricter discipline in school, but it is important to remember that speech is protected under the 1st amendment.
The head of the local teachers’ union said students need to be taught how to use social media responsibly, and educating pupils is the priority.
More than anything, Vikki Salvatico of the Greater Valley Education Association stressed the importance of people making decisions that will elevate their reputations.
