Teens often underestimate the power of their words, and likewise, the power of their jokes. Once a year, Wayland High School students are given the Youth Risk Behavior Survey during an extended homeroom, which many students utilize as a 45-minute opportunity to goof off. The survey asks questions about substance use and abuse, safety, sexuality, mental health, and body image.

This year’s survey took place the Thursday before April Break. Some answer the questions honestly, while some check off answers as quickly as they can, and a few more creative students generate a fake identity.

For example, last year I, as a healthy, drug-free heterosexual female, portrayed myself as a homosexual male pacific islander. I claimed to have impregnated a partner, taken drugs regularly, and eaten no fruits or vegetables on a given day.

I went through the test giggling to myself about my clever humor and answered questions according to the traits of my imaginary character, rather than those that corresponded with my less exciting and less experienced self. But then I started thinking about the bigger picture.

Many students answer these questions inaccurately for a little fun, while not thinking of the broad reaching effects. These surveys are not the joke that many students make them out to be. Wayland’ school officials collaborate with Social Science Research and Evaluation, Inc. (SSRE) and use this data to determine which challenges need to be addressed.

SSRE then analyzes trends in the data, such as sub-population differences (race, gender, ethnicity), and how the results of the data change over time. They also look for increases in substance abuse and other problems at the high school.

Data from the surveys is used to compare Wayland High School trends to those of all Massachusetts high schools. In addition, the data trends from the survey are then used to design both the severity and scope of our school’s substance policies. This year’s revised Substance Abuse Prevention Policy is much more stringent, and covers a broader scope than its predecessor.

So can the results of these surveys be trusted?

“I lied about like the amount of vegetables I eat a day,” said one senior about last year’s survey. “Nothing serious.”

That’s the take-away I got from asking other students about the survey. There is nothing serious about most of the responses.

The SSRE claims that “results are reasonably accurate provided that student participation is voluntary and that the respondent cannot be identified.” The questionnaires are also reviewed for frivolous responses. However, how accurate can the report be when SSRE doesn’t know exactly how many students are lying? There’s a certain level of guess-work involved in evaluating which responses are frivolous and which are honest.

The reality is that some students lie on these surveys, for reasons ranging from embarrassment, to fear, to humor. The effects of these lies are greater than most students know. These lies skew data, create invalid trends, and ultimately can lead to changes in district policies based on inaccurate information.

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