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STAMFORD, Conn. The old saying that words never hurt may not be true for Stamford kids as harassment and bullying grows with the use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
They have to realize everyone has a different reaction to words, said Tracy Guglieri, crisis counselor/adult advocate for the Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education in Stamford. Kids often insult their friends and peers on social media websites, she said.
In speaking at schools to educate students about sexual harassment, Guglieri said she has heard about the use of insulting smut lists, which occurred in Stamford and Greenwich last year, as well as the creation of fake or anonymous accounts to harass others.
If theyre doing it in the school, chances are theyre doing it outside of school as well, Guglieri said. Victims should print out any harmful comments for proof of any harassment in case they are deleted by a perpetrator, she said.
The Stamford Board of Education approved a policy for its teachers and staff members to restrict their use of social media. The policy, approved at the regular board meeting Tuesday night, is the first policy of this kind.
The restrictions are when the use of social media:
? interferes with the work of the school district;
? is used to harass other school employees or community members;
? creates a hostile work environment;
? breaches confidentiality obligations of school employees;
? disrupts the educational process;
? harms the goodwill or reputation of the district;
? violates the law, board policies, and/or other school rules and regulations; or
? inappropriately contacts students, their families and guardians.
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