Professional Study Day (early release

Tornado Times is produced by students at: Pompano Beach High School 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Phone: (754) 322-2000

Print issues in the 2021-22 school year are planned for October, December, February and April.

For the students, parents and faculty of Pompano Beach High School, who need information about the school, its students and events, along with a perspective and analysis on today's issues that students face, Tornado Times is a quarterly newsmagazine and regularly updated website that will provide a public forum, report the news and provide thoughtful interpretation and analysis. Unlike social media,our product provides reliable information and true student perspective. By giving readers a place to express themselves on issues and concerns, examining the impact of news of students' lives and reporting the events and activities over the entire year, we will promote truth, growth and equality.

Student perspective, student voice

Tornado Times is a public forum for student expression. The newspaper staff is responsible for determining what subjects are to be covered and warrant placement in the newspaper.

As a public forum, Tornado Times welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and sent to pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel and space.

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Advertising which promotes illegal products under Florida law, includes false statements or is written in bad taste will not be accepted.

The opinions in this publication are not necessarily those of advertisers, Pompano Beach High School or Broward County Public Schools.

Tornado Times is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association, which awarded the newspaper a silver rating for its 2020-21 issues.

Our Staff

Emma Parker, Editor-in-Chief Keanu Silva, Managing Editor Alisha Durosier, News Editor Brian Tang, Opinion Editor Brody Berrios, Student Life Editor Tanner Block, Sports Editor Shea Albert, Coby Barbarosh, Alexis Bernat, Kaitlyn Bernstein, Brooke Butler, Mila DeRose, Daniella Forrester, Gale Guest, Yasmine Idrissi, Drew Mogavero, Nika Mogren, Chloe Powell, John Paul Pumariega, Olivia Rapp, Reagan Van Buskirk, Sakari Wilson, Staff Interns Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser

Fun or Cyberbullying?

Anonymous Instas spur debate

By Olivia Rapp, Staff Intern

So much for sleeping in peace. Students sprawled across their desks in deep slumber have been waking up to realize their nightmare has become true; they have been posted on @PBHS_sleepen, one of the first in a trend of anonymous Instagram accounts posting embarrassing images of students at school.

Some students question whether exposing other students on social media without their consent is a form of cyber bullying.

“It makes students insecure about their clothing and appearance,” freshman Rebekah Christie said.

Other accounts include clothing ratings, relationship recommendations and confessions.

“Some people don’t know others’ limits,” freshman Dahnielle Verret said.

School family therapist Andrea Fulcher said she was worried about the effects of such posts on students’ mental health.

“if you are anonymously sitting at a screen, posting something about somebody and you can’t see their expression, your brain wouldn’t register how someone feels towards certain actions or comments,” Fulcher said.

This lack of empathy by the one posting makes the possibility of cyber bullying even greater

According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, 27.8% of teens report being cyberbullied. Cyber bullying negatively affects mental health. A study done by Science Daily found that young victims of cyber bullying were twice as likely to commit suicide.

Creators of these accounts said their intentions were the opposite. The creator of the Instagram account PBHS Ship Page, who wanted to remain anonymous to avoid potential ramifications, said they hoped it would “bring people closer together.”

“I made this account because it was a fun way to be able to engage the kids in our school,” they said.

However, many students have been getting offended by these posts and believe the harmless idea of the account creators has backfired, leaving many students feeling down about themselves.

“It perpetuates feelings of isolation and hopelessness in many students,” sophomore Harley Jude Gilson said.

GRAPHIC BY ALISHA DUROSIER