Many students at Albert Lea High School use Snapchat to communicate with friends and share their lives.
After numerous reports sent to administration as well as Officer Ted Herman of lewd photos, photos of inappropriate gestures and drugs being sent over Snapchat at school, the district made the decision to block the app from being used on the school WiFi.
With the disappearing messages, it becomes difficult for schools to deal with issues that may arise, according to Albert Lea High School Principal, Mark Grossklaus.
Grossklaus noted that blocking apps is a rare thing at ALHS.
“We look at how [apps are] being used in the school and is it being used in a positive way.” Grossklaus said.
If misuse of a website or app becomes out of control the issue is sent to the district where they look at whether or not it is a concern to student safety.
“There’s no follow through, there’s no recovery of the information.” Grossklaus said.
Grossklaus urges students who receive inappropriate messages to take a screenshot and email it to administration or Officer Herman
“We want people to use things appropriately, but if they’re being used inappropriately, we need to know right away,” Grossklaus said.