Is NCAA Rule Banning Hashtags Too Strict?

College football programs are not allowed to place website addresses or social media messages on the field due to rules that were recently amended by the NCAA. Tell us what you think of the athletic association’s decision.

#GoDawgs or #GoJackets? Whichever your preference, you won’t see either on an NCAA football field this fall. The NCAA’s recent “Bulletin on Field Markings, Uniforms, etc.” expressly prohibits “social media designations such as URL’s and hashtags” (Hashtags are words or phrases that are preceded by the # symbol that can be used online to group messages together or to rally support for a common cause, such as for a favorite team.). The rule means that while you may see your fellow fans using Twitter and other social media platforms while at the game, you won’t see “#SicemDawgs” between the hedges at Sanford Stadium or “#GaTech” on Historic Grant Field in Bobby Dodd Stadium. Speaking of UGA, another Southeastern Conference school, Mississippi…

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Are Tighter Social Media Controls with Kids Needed?

In the digital age, are we allowing children to use, and potentially abuse, social media at too early of an age? Tell us what you think.

Last March, a student who attended New Manchester High in Douglasville was arrested after allegedly making an online threat against his school. Earlier this month, a Pebblebrook High student from Austell found himself in jail after he allegedly posted threats on Instagram. And last week, Paulding County authorities increased their presence at East Paulding High School as a precautionary measure after a message spread on Twitter said that someone would be bringing a gun onto campus. Though these incidents are seemingly unrelated, one common factor is the usage of online services and social media. In the wake of these incidents, and countless others out there we want to ask: Lastly, many online services require users to be of a minimum age. …

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Update: Kennesaw Mountain Deals with Potentially Threatening Twitter Posts

Twitter posts referenced "a possible situation" at the school today.

Kennesaw Mountain High principal Kevin Daniel posted this update on the school's website: We want to update you concerning the events of today and to let you know of the steps that we have taken. Except for the police presence and the number of students who are absent or who are checking out early today, we have had nothing out of the ordinary to occur on our campus despite the messages posted on Twitter last night. When first informed of possible trouble, our administrative team and campus officer worked with the CCSD Public Safety Department and the Kennesaw Police Department to investigate the matter and to identify any students who might be involved. As students who were making threatening statements were identified, we have …

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Daily KSU Fix

Students Use Social Media to #SaveRichard

The online community rallies together to help a KSU student in need of a kidney transplant.

It started with a tweet. By Monday at 10:40 p.m., #SaveRichard was the number three worldwide trending topic on Twitter. By Tuesday, the cast of The Buried Life had joined hundreds of people on the Kennesaw State University campus in support of Richard Bland, a KSU student in need of a kidney transplant. In a social media movement led by Bland's friends and Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers, thousands of people have taken to Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets to support the 19-year-old Wheeler High School grad. Bland, who has suffered from kidney problems since he was a child, told supporters at Tuesday's rally that his kidney is currently operating at 20 percent. "My kidney's dying. It's petty much on its last leg," Bland …

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