Thanks for both of your posts, which actually surprised me. I've been thinking schools have been fairly reticent about taking action against student social-networking activity, since most occurs off-campus and probably doesn't meet the "material disruption" standard that courts have used. The exceptions I've heard about involve defaming posts against school personnel (e.g., an asst. principal in Texas - not the school itself - suing two students a couple of years ago). I'd like to hear more examples here if anyone has them. Tx again,
Anne
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Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director

Recently at a local school one of my friends had boys post mean (really really horrific) comments on her Facebook profile picture. My friend, who was devastated told the school.

The school suspended the two boys who wrote the comments. Now, the boys are back in school and threatening her even more, encouraging other students to ostracize her and be mean to her. I think the school should have taken harsher action and expelled these boys. They demonstrate horrible social skills and encourage the entire school community to be split. I am 22 and even though I check my facebook 50 or more times per day, I think schools should be harsher about monitoring mean comments and cyberbullying.

Students should be able to use them to cnnect and communicate with friends, but the second kids begin to use them as weapons, they should be punished and taken away.

As a young person, I cannot tell you how afraid I am that someone will be mean on my profile for some random reason. I still want to be on the network but it would make me rest easier if I knew that the schools were watching a little more.

Vanessa Van Petten
teen author of You're Grounded!
http://www.OnTeensToday.com