Administration has appended a handbook policy this year, now prohibiting all social media usage while in high school. This policy is not new– the handbook now outlines disciplinary measures for offending students.

     To many students, this recent prohibition incites alarm when considering the mass ban of all cellular devices in neighboring school districts including Penn Hills; however, the administration has redressed these concerns, stating that Penn-Trafford has no intent to remove cell phones from the building. 

     According to the administration, the response from parents of students has been supportive, although, from the perspective of students, especially upperclassmen who have grown accustomed to using cell phones, this policy has caused significant discomfort. 

     “Social media has nothing to do with bullying.” said senior Cameron Novak.

     Amy Horvat, freshman and senior assistant principal, and one of the authors of the handbook amendment disagreed and explained in past years “[Social media] initiated arguments and fights with kids during the school day.” 

   While Horvat said she cannot go into specifics, multiple harassment incidents conflicting with students’ ability to focus on schoolwork were raised to the administration’s concern. Even social media conflicts that occurred outside of the building extended into school. This is what led to the updated version of the policy, as many students seemed to disregard this rule, per Horvat.

     Horvat continued to say the policy focuses more on “consequences” rather than actual usage. It is unlikely that a student will receive punishment for scrolling through Instagram during their study hall. Rather, a student posting something about another student is likely to receive repercussions.

     The aforementioned consequences include varying levels of severity. Most teachers will issue a verbal warning followed by an in-school suspension for the first serious violation, second is an out-of-school suspension, but, according to head teacher Jeffery Fox, teachers have the ability to discipline at their own discretion.  The policy has already come into effect multiple times, according to Horvat, only a little more than a month after school came into session.