Skip to Main Content
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger

A student looks at Facebook CEO Mark Zukerburg's Instagram page after finding out about him being sued for his apps being designed to be addicting. Conversations in the U.S. Senate have caused schools to question how social media affects students and whether new rules should be put in place.

The price of social media

Maggie Demski, Copy Editor April 6, 2026

A student walks into their first period and puts their phone away. When they get to their seat, they look around to see that everyone is still on their phones. They wonder if their parents are right when...

Instagram app icon is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Opinion | Adapting to the digital age

Aubrey Butler, Opinions Editor February 18, 2026

Do you remember when you first started using social media? It was likely before you were supposed to because you didn’t want to be left out. It may have seemed overwhelming at first from the sheer amount...

Scores of law enforcement personnel from various agencies gather at UC Irvine to displace hundreds of demonstrating students, faculty and supporters protesting the treatment of Palestinians and the UC system's investments in Isreali interests, On May 15, 2924.

Opinion | Tragedy, not trend

Gabe Santos, Opinions Editor November 8, 2024

Injustices and tragedies are occurring every day. Another school shooting, another hate crime; the genocide in Palestine, the invasion in Ukraine; the battle for abortion rights and the fight for LGBTQ+...

True crime can make for good TV, and it’s no wonder shows like Netflix’s “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” attracts viewers with its gruesome tale. Put defending these killers and idolizing their murders misses the point of these shows.

Opinion: Idolizing serial killers is wrong

Alayna Majkrzak, Features Editor November 10, 2022

Tweet after tweet, TikTok after TikTok, images of serial killers circle the internet. Captions range from how attractive Ted Bundy was to claiming Jeffery Dahmer was just misunderstood. All have one thing...

"Heratstopper" has quickly become a beacon of LGBTQ+ representation in the media, and has drawn in plenty of teenage fans.

Review: Say ‘Hi’ to ‘Heartstopper’

Alayna Majkrzak, Opinions Editor May 20, 2022

"Heartstopper" came out on April 22, 2022 after people had been waiting since it had been announced. It’s wildly popular due to the iconic comics that center around teenagers finding who they are and...

Influencers on social media found their platform because of their privilege. Because of their wide reach, they have a responsibility to spread good — not bad — using their influence.

Opinion: Influence is a privilege

Bee Myers, Staff Writer May 11, 2022

Back in 2020, celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres compared quarantine to “being in jail,” even though she lives in a $21 million home with pools and a big yard. Multiple social media influencers and celebs...

Load More Stories