Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS Nancy Porter, Director of Communications nancy.porter@fortbendisd.com    281.634.1100

**  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  **

UPDATE: Online harassment/bullying

FORT BEND ISD - Facebook and its Safety Advisory Board launched a new redesigned Safety Center with resources for parents, educators, teens and members of the law enforcement community about staying safe while using Facebook. The initiative is the first major collaboration between Facebook and its global Safety Advisory Board, which it convened in December 2009.

Fort Bend ISD has encouraged Facebook to take a more proactive approach to its security measures and the prevention of online harassment/bullying. The District is pleased that Facebook has launched the New Safety Center.

Read Facebook’s  April 13, 2010, news release: www.facebook.com/press/releases.php?p=154995

Link to Facebook’s New Safety Center: www.facebook.com/help/?safety

For additional information read below:

News Release below was sent to media on April 12: For background information

FORT BEND ISD — at approximately 12:00 a.m. on April 7, 2010, a FBISD student reported to Administration that a popular social media site displayed names and associated derogatory remarks of female students at 3 FBISD high schools.  FBISD administration immediately began to investigate the allegation. 

The investigation included interviews of students by campus administration and FBISD Police.  The investigation reports that the offensive material began to be discovered by students Tuesday evening, April 6, and that it was removed later that evening around 11:45 p.m.  However, Wednesday afternoon, April 7, a new site that contained similar information was reported by students to the FBISD Police.

Students, parents, FBISD Police and Technology Department staff reported the content violation to the social media company through the site’s only reporting option, a “Report” button.  This particular social media company does not provide confirmation of the reported offense or any follow up if the offensive material has been removed.  Finally, after utilizing unofficial communication avenues to the social media company and explaining that the posted material did not adhere to their Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, the site was closed around 11:30 a.m., Friday April 9, 2010.

FBISD Police has consulted with Fort Bend’s District Attorney’s office that has determined that a chargeable offense appears to have occurred.  Consequently, without evidence that the offense occurred on District property or with District resources, FBISD Police have closed its investigation and the investigation is being turned over to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.  Since this is an ongoing investigation, FBISD will not be able to provide further comment.  Questions should be directed to the to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.

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