Parents and guardians:
I want to make you aware that there is a relatively new social media app called “After School.” After School is designed for Apple’s iOS, which means it can only be accessed through Apple mobile devices, such as iPhones, iPods, and iPads. This app allows students to post messages anonymously for anyone within that group to see. Currently, there are several junior high and high school students that use this app and are posting anonymous messages, some of which are extremely inappropriate and intentionally hurtful. We are asking that you help us by monitoring your child’s social media use so that we may provide the best learning environment we can for our children.
Thank you,
Mr. Arthur
CUSD #205 Superintendent
I want to make you aware that there is a relatively new social media app called “After School.” After School is designed for Apple’s iOS, which means it can only be accessed through Apple mobile devices, such as iPhones, iPods, and iPads. This app allows students to post messages anonymously for anyone within that group to see. Currently, there are several junior high and high school students that use this app and are posting anonymous messages, some of which are extremely inappropriate and intentionally hurtful. We are asking that you help us by monitoring your child’s social media use so that we may provide the best learning environment we can for our children.
Thank you,
Mr. Arthur
CUSD #205 Superintendent
Resources
Article: After School Is The Latest Anonymous App Resulting In Student Cyberbullying And School Threats. TechCrunch. Published 12/03/2014
Article: After School Is Back On The App Store, But With Changes To Curb Cyberbullying. TechCrunch. Published 12/04/2014.
Article: Michigan educators warn of bullying on 'After School' app. Detroit Free Press. Published 12/03/2014
Please note: Many apps allow similar interactions, including YikYak, Secret, Whisper, Ask.fm, and others. Many have reporting capabilities and age restrictions in place to help curb inappropriate activities, but many students appear to continue to use apps like these and After School for cyber-bullying, threats, and intentionally hurtful behaviors. We hope you will join our efforts to continue educating students and our local community about appropriate use of Internet resources.