The power of free speech on the internet- can students do whatever they want?

Posted by Kira on February 18, 2010

I read this article today, about a student in my “part of town” but at a different high school. Apparently she said some things about a teacher on her Facebook page, and was reprimanded later- receiving suspension and removal from the teacher’s class. The student demanded expunging of her records, and sued the Principal- and won.

This raises some interesting questions. A precedent has been set here. But of what? At school, we encourage respect towards eachother and elders (teachers) and I would think that would extend into out-of-school time as well. I mean, if a student created a public scene with me at the grocery market, that is an extension of our teacher/student relationship, and I would feel uncomfortable having that student in my class and would have to escalate to a parent conference, etc. So does that apply to Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and the bajillion other places on the web you can “talk behind someone’s back?” Apparently not. The judge ruled that the student has free speech- and could say or do whatever she wanted outside of school, online, with no repercussions. Very interesting. I mean, I’m all for the internet- I’m a “digital native,” just like my students. I embrace all of it! I want my kids doing more on the web. I give them paperless assignments online all the time. But if one of them turned on me, and used the viral environment of the internet to do it, things would get very….interesting.

As a teacher, I always feel “afraid” for my job. I have one kid who likes to give me a hug- I told him today (with my arms planted firmly by my sides) “I’m not allowed to touch you!” and he replied, “It’s ok, you’re not! I’m touching YOU.” Wierd. You would think if a kid needs that (and I might be the only person in his life that actually gives him a hug) that I could give him that small thing. But no, I’m afraid I could be sued and worse, for a simple hug. The same extends toward speaking to students- we have to be sure not to call anyone out during class, not to be disrespectful, not to say the “wrong thing” to an ELL or ESE student…so many things to remember and “do right” in order to protect our fragile place in the system. Never mind actually teaching properly! So to know that a student has the right to tarnish me all over the internet is actually a bit frightening. Especially since I can already imagine my district’s response to such a thing. Probably not going to encourage any kind of fighting back, if you get my drift. Just take one more for the team.

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