Middle schoolers suspended for creating fake teacher social media accounts with offensive content
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (WPVI) - A Pennsylvania school district said it is working to address issues over nearly two dozen fake TikTok accounts impersonating teachers.
Officials said the accounts were created by eighth graders, and several students were suspended.
While district leaders said they’ve known about the issue for several months, a recent New York Times article has put a brighter spotlight on the problem.
“I want to assure our staff that we have your back. We are going to continue to support you,” said Dr. Daniel Goffredo, superintendent of Great Valley School District.
Several Great Valley Middle School eighth graders created fictitious TikTok accounts impersonating the identities of 22 members of faculty and staff.
The posts are considered racist and homophobic, and some include insinuations of pedophilia.
Educators made the discovery in February.
“It’s very hard to identify the creation of these online accounts, and some we may never figure out. We’re doing our best,” Goffredo said.
The district said they took swift action to identify the accounts and held an assembly for eighth graders about responsible social media use.
They also consulted with the local authorities and invited the attorney general’s office to explain the consequences, but the social media activity continued.
“Unfortunately, we do know that accounts have continued to be created throughout the summer months. It’s disheartening,” Goffredo said.
“Our teachers first of all came together in solidarity to support each other because that’s what we do,” said Nikki Salvatico, president of Great Valley Education Association.
The teachers’ union president said it’s been an emotional time for teachers targeted.
“Educating our students is our passion. We need to teach our students how to use technology in a safe environment for all. What we need is legislation and policy that will foster that environment,” Salvatico said in a prepared statement.
District officials said legal action cannot be taken outside of school because the accounts were created on students’ personal time and may represent their right to free speech.
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