Perhaps the most shocking case is one where the alleged perpetrator was not a student, but an instructor. In March 2024, UC-Chancellor Candice Gotianuy announced that a teacher had been terminated from his position at the UC-Banilad campus after a 57-second video emerged online. In the video, the teacher could be heard laughing as he goaded his students to commit self-harm, saying, "If you jump from a building, call my name because I would love that. I would love it if you commit suicide." The post’s caption also alleged the teacher had openly admitted to being a sadist on multiple occasions. In response, Chancellor Gotianuy suspended classes for a week and deployed over 30 psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors to the campus to provide support for the affected students. The administration confirmed that the teacher's mother, also an instructor at the school, had also left her position.

Before sharing a sensational claim, use the (developed by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield):

When encountering high-energy, scandalous search trends attached to real institutions, the best approach is digital skepticism. Stick to verified news outlets for actual university updates and avoid clicking on aggregated links that utilize explicit street slang mixed with broad category tags.

In a statement, the university's administration expressed their disappointment and concern over the behavior of the students involved. They emphasized that the actions of the Totnak Squad were not in line with the values and standards of the institution and that they would not tolerate such behavior.

: Reports from August 2025 indicated alleged breaches of Learning Management Systems (LMS) at several Philippine educational institutions, exposing over 146,000 records. Understanding "SquadFLV" and "UPD Lifestyle"

The university's statement serves as a reminder that educational institutions have a critical role to play in promoting social media literacy and responsibility among their students. By prioritizing these values, institutions can help ensure that their students are equipped to navigate the complexities of online behavior and make informed decisions about their online presence.

When digital controversies arise, universities have established strict protocols to protect their student body and maintain campus integrity. Rather than ignoring viral trends, administrations typically implement several protective frameworks: Discipline and Administrative Review

The proliferation of non-consensual viral media and explicit text strings has prompted strict legal frameworks in the Philippines to protect citizens: