On Wednesday (November 4), students at the Chortiatis Middle School in Thessaloniki staged a sit-in, in response to an incident of digital harassment targeting five of their female classmates, whose photos were altered using artificial intelligence (AI) to display explicit content, which were then circulated by students at the school.
According to reports, middle school students created and circulated the fake images, causing an uproar in the school community. As soon as the incident came to light, the photos were deleted, and the Teachers’ Association decided to impose three-day and five-day suspensions on the students involved.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
However, the five girls’ classmates felt that the punishments were not severe enough and decided to occupy the school, demanding stricter action against those responsible.
At the same time, they issued a resolution expressing their support for the five students who were the targets of the cyberattack.
Intervention by the Department of Education – School Psychologist
The Regional Director of Education for Central Macedonia, Alexandros Koptis, stating that protecting minors from incidents of harassment, both in the school environment and online, is a top priority.
“The incident that occurred at a school in our region is a cause for concern and serves as a stark reminder that protecting children in both the physical and digital worlds is a non-negotiable priority,” he told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
As he explained, the educational administration took immediate action as soon as it was informed of the incident, in collaboration with the school’s administration.
“From the very moment we were informed, we mobilized the relevant educational and administrative mechanisms, in collaboration with the school administration, in order to address the incident with responsibility, discretion, and absolute respect for the students’ personal dignity and integrity.”
The Department of Education has issued instructions for an immediate investigation of the incident and for measures to be taken to protect the female students, while a psychologist is expected to visit the school on Thursday (November 5) to provide the necessary support.
“Protecting the dignity of every student is non-negotiable.”
Mr. Koptis emphasized that the school must be an environment of safety and trust for all children, while clarifying that the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions lies exclusively with the Teachers’ Association.
“School must be a place of trust, respect, and safety. Protecting the dignity, individuality, and rights of every student is our non-negotiable priority. It should be noted that the imposition of disciplinary measures on students is the exclusive responsibility of the Teachers’ Association,” he stated.
The regional director of education also highlighted the students’ initiative to issue a resolution of solidarity with their classmates, recognizing the importance of supporting children who have been subjected to cyberbullying.
Source: PROTO THEMA
