HAS Safety Update - Social Media
April 25, 2025
Dear Holly Area Schools Parents and Guardians,
At Holly Area Schools, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our highest priority. As a team of leaders, we are committed to being transparent and responsive when concerns arise.
However, we are seeing a troubling trend that deserves all of our attention: the spread of false and misleading information on social media. While we respect the right to ask questions and seek clarity, it becomes harmful when time and resources are diverted to respond to claims that are untrue or based on misinformation.
Why does this matter? Our common goal as a school and parent partnership is to ensure every student thrives in a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment. Working together, we can stay focused on what matters most—our students’ well-being, growth, and success to prepare them for future careers.
Every hour school officials spend responding to false or misleading social media posts is an hour taken away from supporting your children’s academic success, safety, and well-being.
Our students' future success is far too important for us to ignore this issue.
We are encouraging our families to take a stand with us so that together we continue fostering a secure and supportive learning environment.
As part of our efforts, we are taking this opportunity to provide you with information to remind others about the serious consequences associated with posting false or threatening information online—especially when done anonymously.
Posting False or Threatening Information Is Serious
In recent years, there has been an increase in the misuse of social media platforms. Some individuals have made anonymous posts that include false threats or defamatory statements involving our schools or school staff. These posts, whether intended as jokes or attempts to stir controversy, carry serious legal, school-related, and civil consequences.
Such actions may lead to:
- Criminal charges, including for false threats, harassment, or disruption of school operations.
- School disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion.
- Civil liability, especially in cases involving defamation or harm to a person’s reputation.
False Posts Create Real Harm
Posting or sharing misinformation—especially anonymously—creates unnecessary fear and undue harm to our school community. These falsehoods not only damage the reputation of individuals and our school district, but also force district leaders and law enforcement officials to spend valuable time and resources responding to information that is simply untrue. This can detract from our focus on teaching and learning, and it may also delay responses to real safety issues that require immediate attention.
Anonymous Does Not Mean Untraceable
It is critical for families and students to understand anonymous online activity is not truly anonymous. Even posts made from fake accounts or pseudonyms can and will be traced. Holly Area Schools is working closely with the Village of Holly Police Department, other law enforcement agencies, our district’s legal counsel and moderators of local online forums to identify individuals who misuse these platforms. We are committed to holding individuals accountable for online behavior that is disruptive, defamatory, or criminal in nature.
Working Together as a School Community
Research indicates that a significant portion of information shared on social media platforms is false or misleading. Estimates vary, but studies suggest that between 20% and 40% of content on platforms like Facebook may be misinformation CLRN. A 2022 study also found that more than half of social media users who share information sometimes do so without verifying the facts.
We believe that a united school community is our strongest defense against harmful behaviors. We encourage our families and appreciate the support of those partnering with us to
- Bring concerns directly to school leaders first.
- Avoid the reposting of unverified social media content.
- Encourage respectful, fact-based dialogue.
- Talk with their children about responsible online behavior and to remind others in our community of the expectations and consequences tied to spreading false information.
The intent behind a post does not erase its impact. When fear is created through misinformation, it affects our students’ ability to learn, our staff’s ability to teach, and our families’ sense of security.
Together, let’s model responsibility, respect, and care and let’s continue to promote a safe, respectful, and informed environment—both online and in our schools. Our students are watching. Let’s show them how we can overcome such challenges and keep schools focused on what matters most: our students!!
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Scott M. Roper, Superintendent - Holly Area Schools
Jerry Narsh, Chief of Police – Village of Holly
