On Thursday, September 26, the Prefect Council introduced the new Cyber Code to the Hill community. The Cyber Code consists of five tenants regarding appropriate use of social media and online presence.

Students discussed and signed the code to agree to follow the tenants. The implementation of the code is a reaction to a social media crisis that took place at Hill last year, which resulted in a few students going before the disciplinary council.

Head Prefects Maddie Mitchell ’18 and Kevin Cummings ’18 worked with Dean of Students Ari Baum to create the code. The Prefect Council was also consulted.

“I understand [the Cyber Code] was created to protect the students, and the tenants mainly mention how we should treat each other online.” Gaby Painter ’19 said. “But what if someone decides to make an inappropriate post targeting themselves, how do we apply the code in this case?”

Another scenario brought up by many students is the misinterpretation of different situations online. Students believe delivering the correct tone through writing can be challenging. Inside jokes between a specific group of students could be interpreted as inappropriate, or a sarcastic comment could be misread as offensive and hurtful.

Regarding these possible scenarios, the prefect council is keeping an objective perspective on reported cases. The level of severity for each violation will be determined by the students.

“Each case is very different; thus, the severity will vary. In reality, it won’t necessarily be our decision [to choose] what is offensive,” Cummings said. “Whichever student decides to bring this to our attention makes that decision. Then, we will review the case, and take further action.”

There is also an argument about the necessity of implementing the Cyber Code, since it only serves as a prevention of online threats for students during their high school careers at Hill.

Those who violate any of the tenants will be punished and placed under the school’s supervision. However, it’s to be determined whether the code will shape the way our students behave on social media in the future or not.

“I think that it is rather unnecessary, when comparing it to the real-world application,” Quan Pham ’19 said. “But since Hill is a sort of bubble itself, the code might help to protect students that otherwise may act inappropriately.”

Despite various arguments about the Cyber Code, the Prefect Council and the administration have taken students’ concerns seriously, and they are making an effort to establish a safer environment for the community..