by Mike Knaak
School leaders are again asking for parents’ help after an increase in disruptive and in some cases illegal social media posts.
In a letter to Sartell middle and high school parents, principals reported photos of students posted on Instagram and TikTok accounts such as Sartell Dumps, Sartell Bozos and Sartell Cringe.
The letter asks parents to talk with children about their social media accounts and content.
“Find out what groups they are part of and share that being part of the audience can also contribute to students posting inappropriate content. Assist your child in deleting their accounts if you feel they have crossed a line or are engaging in unsafe practices. Both secondary schools have cell phone policies that are not being followed,” High School Principal Sascha Hansen and Middle School Principal Laura Arndt wrote in the letter.
While the consequences for phone and social media misuse can result in suspension and in some cases legal penalties, Superintendent Jeff Ridlehoover said school leaders are aiming to change behavior.
Students may not be aware of the ramifications of their actions, he said.
“When people are on their phones it’s easy to say and do things thinking you are anonymous and don’t see the person face to face,” Ridlehoover said.
“The impact of these issues is not insignificant. Students are reporting the social media accounts and content of these accounts make them feel unsafe and that their privacy has been violated,” the principals noted in the letter to parents.
Earlier this school year, the issue of social media abuse was also addressed. Worries about so-called TikTok challenges prompted school and law enforcement officials to warn Sartell-St. Stephen parents in an email on Oct. 8 about possible dangerous and illegal student behavior.
A few days later, a listening session focused on bullying, harassment and social media quickly turned to the special challenges of keeping students safe on social media. The Oct. 18 session was the second meeting organized by the Sartell-St. Stephen school district’s new Educational Equity and Student Experience committee.
Ridlehoover anticipates that one action resulting from that committee’s work will be an effort at restorative practices where a trained adult sits down with the students involved for a discussion of the abusive action, how it hurt those involved and how to resolve the situation.
In that setting, Ridlehoover said, “kids will realize pretty quickly this is not where they want to go.”
In addition to school consequences, students taking photographs of anyone in a bathroom or locker-room setting where there is an expectation of privacy is against Minnesota law that could result in gross misdemeanor or in some cases, felony charges.
“These occurrences will be prosecuted legally as well as being subject to school disciplinary consequences,” the principals wrote.
“These are serious things,” Ridlehoover said. “Nobody wants to be on the receiving end.” He asked families to help schools achieve the goals of “more kindness, support and an environment that welcomes everybody. Check your kids’ phones.”
