Children under 18 should not have a Facebook account.

As we pull the curtains back on what people really are and how they behave ... it is not such a pretty sight. Being cruel becomes the only refuge for people who grow up around inferior people ... the bad forces out the good, and we have a positive feedback loop on bad. I never even heard of anything like most of this stuff as a kid, it was just as unimaginable as someone bringing a gun or knife to school.

I agree with Maria, but FB is just not that responsible, like their CEO.

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With a 17 year old, I have only seen the damage that social media causes. We moved bullying online, where it can be more powerful, hateful and anonymous. And there are no controls, no matter what any parents think!

In the wake of the Weekly’s superb article on social media and how it can harm teenagers, but before asking why we allow this harm in our schools, let’s tote up some things forbidden on campus—at Gunn, for example—because they disrupt, distract, or endanger.

If you’re a teenager at Gunn, you can’t bring your fireworks or water-balloons onto campus. You’re forbidden by the student handbook to bring laser-pointers or matches or noise-makers onto campus, because the “presence of inappropriate objects can create a disruption.” Nix on the skateboards or bikes, when classes are in session. You can’t wear clothing that’s too revealing (e.g., bellybuttons banned), because “appearance and dress…shall not interfere with teaching and learning.”

Hazing is out. So are t-shirts with profanity on them, or drug insignia. Lay off the streaking or “excessive affection.” Unregistered visitors qualify as trespassers; don’t go barefoot; and forget about loitering in a restroom.

“But by all means,” we are in effect saying to our children, “make use of your electronic device at school—where during passing-periods, and brunch, and lunch, and prep periods, and when you’ve skipped out of class to use the restroom and not loiter, you can check social media to send and receive gossip, taunts, lewd comments, subtle harassment, anonymous bullying, and naked photos.”

“By all means,” we say by our silence, “suffer the resulting feelings—which never, ever, will make it hard for you to flourish in class.”

I think it ought to be of the deepest possible concern to our community that, in a week in which two school-related teenage issues—streaking, and the harm of social media—come before the community via the Weekly, the first issue, which is inconsequential, draws an immense amount of public comment and discussion (on this site), while the latter, which is of enduring and painful importance for the well-being of our children, goes virtually uncommented-upon.

Sincerely, Marc Vincenti

Parents seem to have abdicated control - given over to their own screen addiction they no longer try to monitor their children - who are even more vulnerable.

For those with any strength of character. Dont let your kids use social media until they are 18. Dont give them a smart phone. Monitor - indirectly- their computer time at home.

Those were the rules before 2 years ago. They worked fine. Its only now the whole community has given up and been lost to screen addiction.

Right on Mark Vincenti

Mark Vincenti,

The reason it goes uncommented upon is NOT because it is not read.

It is read.

Its just that palo altonians are so used to the free child care that comes from letting their kids online 24/7 that they have nothing to say. Guilty as charged. So silent.

This is an excellent article. I too commend the paOnline for doing this. And share your opinion about the silly streaking.

It is important for the school district to educate all student and parents what to do when one has been cyberbullied. I as a parent don't know if I should contact school or police.

There should be many ways such as 24 hour reporting line, or report online, or talk to the conselor. The program needs to be educated so when such an incident happened, everyone knows what to do.

Okay, Instructional Council, Site Council, PTSA it is up to you to weigh-in on restrictions of electronic devices on campus. Convince the principal that you will support her 100% if she implements restrictions.

And while you are at it what about the open campus - even worse in my opinion.