Burnbook: The Latest Cyberbullying App Used By Teenagers In Shreveport/Bossier

According to a press release from the Bossier Parish School Board, there is a new App that parents need to be concerned about.

Burnbook is a troubling trend that teenagers in our area are using. It seems to be a real live online version of the Burnbook as seen in the 2004 movie, "Mean Girls."

Dear parents and students,

A troubling trend has come to our attention through the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office about a mobile app called Burnbook that young people in our area are using.

The app claims to be anonymous, enabling a person to say just about anything they want and about anyone without retribution; however, this is not the case, as posts considered to be criminal activity can be tracked to the sender.

The Bossier Sheriff’s Office has assigned detectives to work closely with Bossier Schools’ Resource Officers and administrators to investigate any posting on Burnbook or other sites that is considered to be cyberbullying, terrorizing or harassing.

“For young people or anyone who think they can harass, threaten violence or bully others online, know this – there is nothing anonymous for law enforcement about anything you post online that breaks the law, said Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington. “You will be actively investigated by our detectives, we will get your user account information, and you could be charged criminally with cyberbullying or even terrorizing.”

We want to heighten parents’ and students’ awareness of the dangers of being involved in this activity and encourage parents to have a conversation with their children about responsible social media use and actively monitor what they are posting.

A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t say it in person, then don’t say it online.

Parents, what are your thoughts on this scary cyberbullying trend?

{Bossier Parish School Board}