The Tea app, which has sparked controversy for containing vulgar and personal comments about students – many of whom are minors – was featured in Vice Principal Amy Winston’s weekly update, Saturday, Oct. 25.
The update included a message from deans which warned parents and guardians about the app. The message itself was prompted by reports from several students under 18 who discovered that photos and comments had been posted about them, containing rumors, personal information, and criticisms of their appearance and character.
The Tea app allows users to post photos of male individuals who they have had interactions with, while others anonymously comment on them, sharing personal experiences or opinions.
“Tea creates this kind of community where people could be posting some really serious stuff on there and not getting the appropriate help that they need or deserve,” said Beals House Dean Scott Heslin. He added that the Deans are working to ensure students, parents, and guardians are aware of the app and its potential for harm.
Originally launched in 2022 to help adult women identify toxic partners and prevent sexual harassment, Tea has since gained popularity among minors. Although the app includes consent forms to verify users and individuals featured in posts are over 18, many are underage. Approximately 30 North male students have been posted on the app, according to reports.
Junior Morgan Klaehn Haight, who was notified that his photo had been posted, said the anonymity makes it difficult to respond or ask for posts to be removed. “There are people in the comments that aren’t going to think that I’m attractive or that other people are attractive, and they’ll voice it,” he said. “It kind of sucks because I know that people will say this stuff about me and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Junior Ella Mullen said the app’s popularity stems from its lack of accountability. “People are posting random guys at our school, some of whom didn’t even do anything,” she said.
According to Haight, serious accusations should not be shared online. “It’s horrible that your whole high school experience could be ruined over something as small as somebody saying a four-letter word,” he said. “It feels like the app gives these kids power that they should not have at this age.”
Heslin emphasized that it’s nearly impossible to verify the truth of what’s written on the app. “People could go on there and make up whatever they want about other people,” he said.
In the message to families, administrators wrote, “It would be problematic if any of our students were posting about a member of Newton North, and we would treat it as a disciplinary issue. It could be investigated as harassment. We share this with you to raise awareness for a conversation at home.”
Students are encouraged to report unsafe or illegal conduct to their school counselors, Deans, or the school resource officer.
Heslin said the Deans are continuing to monitor the situation and plan to include a reminder in an upcoming message from either Vice Principal Winston or Principal Henry Turner. “We just want parents and students—even those that don’t know about it—to hear that it may not be the best idea for your child to have this app,” he said.
Since the initial message, no new concerns about Tea have been brought to North administrators, according to Heslin.
