Schools and parents try to educate children on the pitfalls of social media. Inappropriate pictures and comments can have a negative effect on their chance to get in the college of their choice and for jobs.
Recently it was a teacher who learned the hard way what can happen when you post first and think later. Mary Kate Blankenburg who was a guidance counselor at Central Bucks West High School in PA posted in December a comment that has forced the school board to terminate her contract.
On December 7th 2014, Blankenburg posted "If my child cannot get to the Eagles game due to protesters, I will personally SHOOT every one of them. You've been warned idiots!!" This was during a time when protesters were out on the streets blocking cars and traffic to protest the killing of two black men in New York and Missouri.
After the post was noticed it was reported and the next day the school superintendent David Wetzel suspended Blankenburg without pay. During the investigation, Blankenburg denied making the post and said that it was one of the children in her house and it was done when she was teaching Sunday school. Later she admitted that she had posted the comment.
The authorities were brought in to investigate and ruled that she wasn't a serious threat and decided not to press criminal charges. But the school board hadn't made up its mind. The past few weeks have brought out her supporters to plead her case that it was a foolish mistake and she shouldn't lose her job.
On Tuesday January 13th, the majority of the board did vote to terminate Blankenburg with one member voting no and two others not in attendance. While many felt she was a good influence in the district the board ultimately felt that her conduct wasn't what they wanted for a staff member.
This serves as a lesson for individuals, kids and even businesses. Social media is a powerful tool that can be used for good and if not used wisely can have a severe impact.