'Troubling' Instagram Account Showed Northport Students Fighting

NORTHPORT, NY — Northport-East Northport School District officials learned of a "troubling" private Instagram account called "Northport Confessions" earlier in the week, superintendent Robert Banzer told parents in a letter on Tuesday.

The account, which is no longer active, contained identifiable images and names of students, as well as anonymous and inappropriate posts, Banzer said.

"One particularly alarming thread includes videos of students fighting in various locations," he wrote.

Most of the students involved appear to be in middle school, Banzer said. However, not every student on the page could be identified, and it is unknown who owns the account, according to the superintendent. The district reported the account to Instagram and is continuing to investigate.

Disciplinary action will be taken against students who are fighting, bullying, using inappropriate language or behaving inappropriately, Banzer said. Parents of children who feel targeted should reach out to the principal of their school, Banzer said.

The district is working with its Suffolk County Police Second Precinct school resource officer on cyber safety education.

"I urge you to discuss appropriate social media behavior with your children, 'follow' your child’s
accounts and be aware of fake accounts that students create to circumvent parent oversight," Banzer wrote.

The district will continue to include media literacy and social media awareness into its curricula to reinforce the proper use of social media and cyber citizenship to students.

"This district takes these matters very seriously and is looking into the origins of the account," Banzer wrote. "We commend the individuals who brought this matter to our attention."

Anyone with information about the owner of the "Northport Confessions" account or the content on it was asked to contact their building's principal.