School District hosts e-safety meeting for parents after reports of students' 'hate list'



SNOQUALMIE, Wash. -- Parents  are worried about their kids’ safety, after the Snoqualmie Valley School District uncovered possible threats against students being made on social media.

The principal of Mount Si High School sent a letter to parents last week, alerting them to a ‘hate list’ or ‘hit list’ of students being circulated on the app Snapchat.

After seeing the letter, Janie Ojeda decided to attend an e-safety meeting at the school.

“Seeing that was like, alert!  I just want to hear about it, make sure that we're all aware,” she says.

Snoqualmie Police and district officials say no students are at risk from the hate list. But they are still investigating the matter.

This isn’t the first time students at Mount Si have gotten into trouble online. Last year, male students created a digital ‘Hot or Not’ list of girls at the school.

“That’s a great example of the technology I think getting ahead of the kids, and them making some poor choices,” says assistant superintendent Jeff Hogan.

For privacy reasons, the district didn’t want to let Q13 News cameras inside Monday night's meeting. But they say their main message to parents is to talk to their kids about what they’re doing online.

“They really struggle to see the permanency of their actions. Posting something on the Internet can be forever,” says Hogan.

Ojeda agrees, “One quick decision can make an impact for a long time.”

Many parents admit it’s hard to keep up with what apps their kids are using and how they’re using them.

“We didn't have cell phones when we were growing up, so it's totally different,” says Karen Debellis.

But parents are learning that they may have to impose limitations, whether it’s keeping track of passwords or limiting the amount of time kids can use their phones.

“They can be exposed in ways they have no idea and we don't want that to happen,” says Debellis.

The Snoqualmie Valley School District is also holding e-safety presentations to students from 4th grade through 12th grade. They encourage other school districts in the region to do the same.

If parents want more information on social media safety, click here.