Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 03/10/2012
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ACLU Sues School For Punishing 12-Year-Old Over Facebook Comment
You'll want to read this lawsuit as it lies on the cusp of what we will experience in schools in the future. In this case, a 12 year old girl (on Facebook, despite the fact she is technically too young to be) is suing a school district (via the ACLU) for punishment because of her use of Facebook. I think the school went too far when it required her to hand over her Facebook and email login to the school, but we'll see what the courts decide.
The ACLU says this is a violation of free speech. Stay tuned and realize that students have a right to hate you, say unkind things about you, etc. There is a fine line in what is allowed and what isn't. Just because we CAN deal with issues relating to bullying of other children - that doesn't mean we can wear our own chips on our shoulders and require that kids pretend to like us. It is hurtful when children say unkind things and many don't realize everyone is watching. If students are not understanding the consequences of their actions, then I partially blame any school that doesn't step up and teach digital citizenship.
