Six online ‘ugly girls’ polls span Newfoundland and Labrador: official

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is now checking out complaints of six anonymous polls online that ranked girls based on their looks. They involve five polls reported across the island, including one that made national headlines in Torbay, and a potential incident in Labrador. “These are very disturbing acts and they’re complex to deal with,’’ said Jeff Thompson, the district’s associate director of education. It can be tough to trace online harassment that crosses borders and can happen around the clock, he said in an interview. Thompson stressed that there are consequences for such behaviour. He said the district is working with students, staff, parents and the police but could not immediately confirm any specific discipline taken so far. An RCMP spokeswoman was not available Monday to update ongoing investigations.