By Reed Hennessy
Editor in Chief

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages via mobile phones and other devices. This past October, although it may be hard to remember, a story broke about a sexting scandal involving Neshaminy High School students. It may be hard to remember because of the gross mishandling of the situation by Neshaminy High School administration from the very start to the very end.
The sexting scandal first came to light following a tumultuous week at Neshaminy High School wherein the app “Yik-Yak” was being used as a medium for students to post inappropriate comments about other students. The situation was handled relatively well: Yik-Yak was banned from the Neshaminy campus. The administration was correct in doing this; however, they handled the sexting scandal poorly.
The only message sent out by administration regarding the sexting scandal was by Neshaminy High School Principal Robert McGee, it was sent to the parents of students at Neshaminy High School and it contained the following message. “The situation/incident was NOT a football team issue.” Why would one group of people be singled out and specifically defended by McGee?
The simple reason is because at that moment in time ensuring the secure status of the football team was just as if not more important than ensuring the individuals who had their photographs passed around were okay and that any individuals found to be in possession of such photographs would receive proper discipline. This is all besides the fact that the only person to formally mention the football team in regards to the sexting scandal was McGee. Even if a large amount of football players were involved in the sexting scandal it is not the job of administration to protect students simply because of they belong to a certain club or extra-curricular activity.
To make the point clear this is not a criticism of the football team, this is a criticism of administration; the message posted by McGee could have referenced any club or athletic team at Neshaminy High school and it still would have been wrong. The message then went on to say that “Kids make mistakes. We address the mistakes and then move on without malice.” Which is a nice thought, but there is a difference between making a mistake, and intentionally committing a crime.
Also, there is a difference between moving on without malice and no longer addressing the issue. In that short 242 word message not one real issue was addressed, nor did the administration denounce the actions of the students involved in the scandal. All the student body heard was that mistakes were made, not that sexting is wrong, illegal, and should be reported immediately. The classic cop-out that “kids will be kids” does not apply to situations where police have to get involved.
The sexting scandal was a serious situation that was not necessarily “swept under the rug”, but definitely not handled well, not addressed in the manner it should have been, and if anything the administration’s actions will serve to perpetuate similar situations in the future.