Teenage students often find themselves at odds with their teachers and may try to “get back” at them by playing pranks or poking fun at them in private. However, some students may also take this a step further and use social media to launch attacks on a teacher or multiple teachers. The consequences of this can be quite serious and permanently impact a student's academic record. If your student is facing discipline for social media misconduct or any other reason, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can help. Call us at 888-535-3686 or tell us about your issue, and we will call you.

Seventh and Eighth Graders in Malvern Post Lewd Content Targeting Teachers

Teachers at a school in Malvern, Pennsylvania, were left shaken in July when a group of seventh and eighth graders used TikTok accounts impersonating their teachers to post lewd and objectionable content. Students at Great Valley Middle School set up fake accounts for over 20 of their teachers, using them to post racist content, pedophile jokes, and much more. The students also posted edited family photos of the teachers, sometimes with text superimposed. One of the posts included an edited photo of a man and a woman in bed, with two teachers' faces superimposed.

This incident is among the first of its kind since, typically, students have targeted one teacher at a time rather than launching an attack at this scale. The school district has since suspended many of the students responsible.

Social Media and Aggression

This attack, the first of its kind where a group of teachers were targeted on TikTok, points to growing concerns over social media use and the aggression it seems to bring out in students. Although students have a right to free speech off-campus, schools take a serious view of social media posts that demean and harass other students or teachers. Students can get into serious trouble if they are believed to be involved in such cases, even if they are not directly responsible. Peer pressure and the need for social approval by their peers may also cause students to act out and express their frustration with their teachers. Students often do not find an outlet for their feelings at school and may turn to anonymous social media profiles to express how they really feel.

Posting about or as teachers can get students into trouble with their school and even lead to suspension or expulsion. These kinds of posts may start out as a prank or a bit of fun but can quickly get out of hand and escalate in ways your student may not have anticipated.

The Lento Law Firm Can Protect Your Student

If your student is being accused of social media misconduct or any other form of misconduct, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team should be your first port of call. Our team of experienced attorneys can examine your case, determine how serious the charges against your student are, and create a strong defense, taking into account any mitigating circumstances or evidence in your student's favor.

Regardless of the charges, your student deserves a fair and unbiased disciplinary process with access to legal counsel. Our attorneys can help ensure your students' rights are not dismissed and that they are treated fairly by the school administration. Call us at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.