The recent trend of teenage boys creating deepfake nude pictures of their female classmates and sharing them with friends is appalling, disgusting, and horrific. This digital sexual assault has rightly sparked outrage from parents, police, and school officials, leading to arrests and expulsions.
However, this incident highlights a stark contrast with the permissive school disciplinary environments created in the name of equity and social justice. For years, the focus on restorative justice and empathy has minimized consequences for student misbehavior, leading to a culture where students expect to get away with their actions.
This lack of accountability has emboldened perpetrators to engage in severe misconduct, including digital sexual assault. While root causes such as human nature, underdeveloped pre-frontal cortexes, and bad parenting may contribute to these behaviors, they do not absolve individuals of responsibility.
The solution lies in implementing clear penalties and consequences for disruptive behavior, returning to zero tolerance policies, and fostering an environment of personal responsibility in schools. Outrage over these despicable actions may prompt some equity advocates to rethink their approach and prioritize student safety. For the sake of children and our education system, it is imperative to hold students accountable for their actions and create a safe and respectful learning environment.
