Social media policy for 2026-2027 school year
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Effective 5/22/2026, we will be enforcing a new policy for all grade levels.
No student enrolled at St. Peter Catholic School shall host an account or page (whether in his/her true name or an alias) on any social media site.
A social media site is one that has individual user profiles, user-generated content, networking capability (can connect with others or groups), and interactivity (can comment, like, share or direct message).
Social media accounts prohibited include but are not limited to Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, TikTok, CapCut, YouTube, Twitch, and any social media platform or app St. Peter Catholic School sees fit to include in the future.
A student who will attend St. Peter Catholic School in the fall is considered to be enrolled at St. Peter Catholic School during the preceding summer. The prohibition against social media accounts includes summers, holidays, nights and weekends.
Violation of the Social Media Policy will result in disciplinary action as follows:
First violation: detention and dismissal from extracurricular activities (including team tryouts) for one academic quarter. Extracurricular activities include but are not limited to sports teams, spirit teams (POM, Dance, and Cheer), and clubs.
Second violation: one-day suspension and dismissal from extracurricular activities (including team tryouts) for the remainder of the school year.
Third violation: three-day suspension and dismissal from extracurricular activities (including team tryouts) for the remainder of the school year; student placed on probation.
Fourth violation: expulsion.
Violations are cumulative and do not “reset” at the beginning of a new school year. The disciplinary action for violations occurring during the summer will take place in the first quarter of the next school year.
Further information about the impacts of digital technology on children and adolescents can be found in the technology section of our website. St. Peter Catholic School - Technology At St. Peter Catholic School - Covington, LA
Questions and Answers
May a student operate another person’s account?
Students may not use or operate a social media account. Any student using or operating an account will be deemed as the host.
What qualifies as a “social media” app?
Individual user profiles
User generated content
Networking (can connect with others or groups)
Interactivity (can comment, like, direct message, share items)
Social media includes but is not limited to Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, TikTok, CapCut, YouTube, and Twitch.
What does the data say?
Recent research has clearly demonstrated the negative impact that social media has on the social, emotional, and mental health of elementary-age children. The rise in depression and self-harm in young children since the development of the smart phone and social media cannot be ignored. We are not advocating for “no tech” but for “slow tech.” In a crucial time of brain development for our young children, we want them to grow and develop with an authentic approach to instructional technology. We want to provide them with the skills to use it wisely when they are ready for it, and to become less susceptible to its negative effects.
Where can I find resources to help support my child at home?
We have worked alongside Chris McKenna of Protect Young Eyes to provide parents with the tools they need to create a tech-safe home. His website provides information on apps and devices, and how to protect our families. Also, as the first educators, parents are encouraged to model healthy habits in order to empower the entire family to engage with technology for the good.
There are also resources available on the Anxious Generation website, as well as Catherine Price’s website (under “Shareable Guidelines and Resources”).
https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/tech-facts
https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/apps
https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/resources
https://catherineprice.com/resources
*updated as of September 21, 2026
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