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Post from Jenny Odegard's Blog:
100 Minnesota high school kids are suspended for Facebook photos
By Jenny Odegard - Jan 9th, 2008 at 12:54 pm EST
Also listed in: Campus Progress Blog
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Tags: facebook, privacy, underage drinking
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Thats right, school administrators in Eden Prarie, Minnesota have printed out hundreds of Facebook photos and are calling the students in to the office one by one, to show them the photos and administer punishment. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the school has already reprimanded 100 students and will continue to question and investigate the situation.

Sports teams captains are being removed, kids are being suspended, and only one student interviewed in the article thought to bring up the blatant violation of personal privacy.


The student eloquently pointed out, "Everyone thinks it's pretty weird... I think it's a huge invasion of privacy."

In most Minnesota high schools, athletes are required to sign a pledge not to drink or do drugs during the season on threat of suspension from participation. In the past, this was inforced not through administration investigation, but through documented police-related incidents.

When did it become acceptable for faculty to invade the private lives of their students?

I don't care that the internet is public or that the students might have been a little stupid to post these photos. It's none of the administrations business what they do outside of school hours and school related activities. 


Reader Comments

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To Bad
By Gary Ridley Jan 9th 2008 at 1:20 pm EST
While yes, what the school administrators are completely ridiculous, the students have taken the stand on the wrong issue. They should have refused to sign these pledges in the first place. Would the school refuse to field a team if nobody signed their pledge? Moreover, high school students are not the only ones to be penalized for their Facebook postings. Employers often view potential employees Facebook and Myspace profiles, looking for indiscretions that might lead to the loss of employment. Also, Law Enforcement agencies use Facebook to track down potential evidence for crimes (or in the case of University Campuses, weekend parties). Individuals must remember that they should not be willing to post pictures to their profiles that they would not freely hand out on the street. Moreover, there is no expectation of privacy on Facebook or MySpace. Remember these are social networking sites.
  
I disagree
By Annika Jan 9th 2008 at 2:17 pm EST
The school absolutely has a right to enforce the pledges the students signed. By signing the pledges, the students presumably waive the right to an expectation of privacy outside the school--at least in regards to substance use.

And, though it makes me sound stodgy to point this out, drinking and doing drugs are illegal for high school students--in that sense, they're lucky it's the school, not the cops, going through facebook.

(plus I have a thing against Eden Prairie.)
Re: I disagree
By Anonymous Jan 10th 2008 at 2:30 pm EST
They don't have a right. The law is quite clear - anyone under the age of 18 is not legally responsible for any kind of contract or agreement, signed or not signed.
  
better now than later
By Cassie Jan 9th 2008 at 2:30 pm EST
I think it's probably better these students found out how dangerous the internet can be now, instead of later. People put a lot of information about themselves on the internet without really thinking about it - whether or not the school is invading the students privacy, this is something that happens all the time to people much older, with much more dire consequences than getting suspended
  
Geez
By aeeditor.jen Jan 9th 2008 at 8:31 pm EST
I agree that the students learned the unfortunate (but necessary lesson) of keeping their private lives off of the internet. Alternatively, the students should not be suspended due to extracurricular stupidities. The administration has absolutely no right to disregard the students right to privacy, and the school's faculty are NOT their parents. The people who should be held accountable are the parents of the minors committing lewd, indecent or illegal activities.
  
stupid
By Sally Jan 12th 2008 at 2:13 pm EST
there is no proof in pictures.. its ridiculous!
  
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