PORT BYRON, NY - Port Byron School Superintendent Neil O’Brien has alerted parents to an FBI and state police investigation into “alarming and illegal” social media posts by students.
At least some of the posts involve sending nude images, according to a newsletter sent to parents.
O’Brien told parents some of the images and words posted on social media are “exploitative" and said they will likely result in prosecution of the adults involved.
O’Brien said Monday morning that one of the victims is a Port Byron student, but directed any further questions to New York State Police.
State police did not immediately respond to inquiries from Syracuse. com | The Post-Standard.
More details on what was posted and by whom were not released. O’Brien did clarify that the social media posts in questions were not made using a school computer or iPad.
O’Brien said it’s important for parents to be more aware of what is occurring.
While the FBI investigation gets everyone to pay attention “because it involves the most base elements in society,” it’s just one case of " too many dangerous and inappropriate postings," he said in an email to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.
O’Brien in his statement to urged parents to talk to their children about why “it is never alright to post nude pictures of yourself or friends.”
“It can only be arrested when all of us take a stand, and are willing to speak with our kids honestly and from the heart,” he said. “Having people arrested might mean that someone pays a price, but for the victims, that cost is way too high.”
O’Brien’s statement to the school community
Dear Friends,
At present, the FBI, New York State Police, and Social Sentinel (a security software package we subscribe to) all give us warning signs regarding the content that some of our students are posting on social media.
In the past several weeks, I have seen (or have been advised by law enforcement about) students posting images and words that are alarming and illegal. It is beyond eye-opening to have the FBI involved, but some of the items are exploitative, and will result in prosecution for the adults involved.
I write this week asking for assistance. We frequently speak to the students about the dangers of social media, and have counselors and administrators work with individuals who have been adversely affected by it, but we alone cannot keep up with the issues. There needs to be conversations with and expectations from parents that help ensure that students understand that it is never alright to post nude pictures of yourself or friends. It is never alright to allow someone to make you do something that is harmful, or that violates your personal privacy or values.
This might seem like common sense or just “stating the obvious.” But based on the issues we’ve encountered over the past year, there have been too many instances of our students being involved in inappropriate posting on social media, or involved in other activities that violate personal privacy and, in some cases, the law.
I leave you with two thoughts: One is the fact I have to write in generalities to protect student privacy, and not share too much. The second is that both the volume and the subject matter of these stories would make you cringe and cry. There are far too many of them, and some are just heartbreaking. It can only be arrested when all of us take a stand, and are willing to speak with our kids honestly and from the heart. Having people arrested might mean that someone pays a price, but for the victims, that cost is way too high.
Peace,
Neil