Peter and the Laptop

So in my previous post I mentioned someone hacking into a teacher's computer account. I witnessed that yesterday and I think it's a real testament to the lengths kids will go to to get a good grade. "Peter" is a really smart kid who we all knew was a good computer person. Some of us had heard that he could get into his friends account but no one really took it seriously. He's actually a really nice person that I enjoy talking to in science class. Our school just got new software, some of which includes this program where teacher's can see what you're doing on any given laptop or computer. They can also control it. It's kind of creepy when that happens because it's so unexpected.

The way this software works, you see a small screen and a student ID number underneath it. Mrs. C noticed that a laptop was under a teacher's ID number. Peter sits behind me so I heard most of the conversation when Mrs. C approached him. He vehemently denied that he had done anything wrong. Personally, I believed him, but apparently Mrs. C didn't. She asked to see his laptop and he gave it to her saying
"I have nothing to hide"
Mrs. C brought the laptop to the front of the room and by this time, most of the room was looking at her. Slowly, a smile spread across her face. She made Peter come over to her desk and said loud enough so that we could all hear.
"This is a serious offense because it's a teacher's account."
That certainly got my attention. Peter came back and all these questions were hurled at him. I told people to stop because I could already hear the rumors that would fly around. He looked scared but he kept on saying he didn't do it.

Peter is a good kid and I still can't believe he would do it. He was applying to go to a magnet school for science and technology. That chance has been obliterated. What could have compelled a kid like Peter to do something like that? Only he knows. But I can take a guess. Under the pressure from his peers, parents, and others, there was no where else to turn. When you're broken down emotionally, crazy things all of a sudden seem very rational. Let this be a warning to kids to think about their actions before they do drastic things like this. An offense like this could result in suspension, even expulsion. And nothing is worth that, no matter how it may seem at the time.