Just a hastily taken photo, an unverified status line and a whole school are placed in the eye of public opinion.
Everyone is upset when seeing photos of meals with only a few dishes, not enough nutrients for children.
The incident at an elementary school in Dak Lak shows a worrying reality, parents are increasingly proactively monitoring the school, but many people lack impartiality and responsibility when bringing information to the public.
Images of the food tray taken when not finished, not drizzled with sauce, not divided into enough portions but posted as "evidence" of poor and malnourished meals.
Incomplete and unverified information quickly spread, leading to a series of critical comments.
The truth came later, but the consequences happened first.
The school's reputation is affected, parents are confused, and trust is eroded just because of false information.
It should be affirmed that parents have the right, even the responsibility, to supervise school meals. That is an important part of protecting the health and rights of students.
But the right to supervise does not mean the right to conclude.
Supervision must go hand in hand with impartiality, objectivity and understanding the true nature of the problem.
A photo cannot replace the entire meal organization process, an incomplete moment cannot represent the overall quality.
More worrying is the mentality of "post first, verify later" which is becoming increasingly popular. Social networks have become places for instant judgment, where emotions overwhelm reason.
At that time, false information is no longer a personal mistake, but becomes a source of public disorder. The school, in many cases, becomes a passive party, frankly speaking, a victim.
Just one negative piece of information spreading out, all efforts to build an image and quality over a long period of time can be denied in an instant.
Therefore, the responsibility for providing false information does not stop at "drawing experience".
False information affecting organizations and individuals must be properly recognized. It is impossible to say whatever you want, cause consequences and then just apologize and that's it.
Cyberspace is not a "responsibility-free zone".
A healthy educational environment requires the companionship between schools and parents on a basis of trust and transparency.
Supervision is necessary, but in the right way. Criticism is necessary, but based on the truth.
