Sometimes it’s not a question of “if” teenagers will do dopey things but “when.”
More than a dozen Bartlett High School students might face disciplinary measures after photos of them drinking from a stolen school trophy were recently discovered on Facebook. Principal Kevin Skinkis said a teacher saw the photos on the social-networking Web site and brought the issue to his attention.
The Braggin’ Jug was anonymously returned to school last week. Skinkis said school officials are investigating the incident, but he’s not certain whether it’s a school issue because it happened off-campus.
Because it involved stolen school property, it’s definitely a school issue. Authorities must become involved to emphasize the seriousness of theft and underage drinking.
This isn’t the first time photos have gotten young people into trouble, and it sure won’t be the last.
Piotr Rybak, an 18-year-old former St. Charles East High School student, was charged March 26 with child pornography for allegedly loading nude photographs of his former girlfriend onto a school computer last year. And a 14-year-old New Jersey girl recently was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography after reportedly posting nude photos of herself on MySpace.
Childhood values have sadly fallen behind technology. We need to be more vigilant about helping young people stay out of trouble. And that starts with calling out bad behavior.
