Cyber-bullying is a trend nationwide and Fayette County is no exception. A short-lived website called “Booth Middle School Lists” surfaced last week and was shut down a few days later. Aside from other information on the site, its originators also included a list entitled “I’m a fag” along with doctored photos of some students.
Booth Middle School Principal Ted Lombard on Oct. 18 sent a letter to the parents of the Peachtree City school children addressing the website. Lombard said the website used the school’s name and logo and included lists of Booth students identified in lists such as “Popularity,” “Best looks/boys” and “Best looks/girls.”
“We were notified by concerned parents/students late (Oct. 14) of the site because it also included another list titled ‘FAGS’ containing 10 names of our students and photos of one of our students with the title ‘I’m a fag’ written across it,” Lombard said. “An adulterated photo of a female Booth student with the title ‘im hawt’ was also posted. Additionally, a comment was posted on that one of our female students was not a virgin.”
Lombard said an update to the site included the first names of the people that allegedly created the website.
“These names could possibly be linked to two 8th grade boys in our school,” Lombard said.
Contacted Wednesday, Peachtree City Police spokesperson Rosanna Dove said there was not much to go on initially, with investigators currently determining is a crime had been committed. Dove said police might learn more as the investigation unfolds.
Lombard in the letter said the website had been shut down on Oct. 17.
Lombard asked parents to work with schools on the growing nationwide issue of cyber-bullying and requested that they be aware of what their children are doing and viewing on the internet.
Lombard in the letter also listed a number of past and current measures being enacted by the school to combat cyber-bullying.
