Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Coordinator, Educational Administration Program Director, UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE) at Iowa State University, is a leading scholar on the issues of technology in education. His blog Dangerously Irrelevant is a national recognized resource on issues facing technology and social change in schools.
A fascinating resource is available from the CASTLE website which is a "An Administrator's Guide to Cyberbullying." Dr. McLeod discusses case studies and the legal implications and suits that have been brought before the courts regarding the legal issues around cyberbullying and how schools, teachers, and communities has taken a firm stance that has been supported in the courts regarding this extreme expression of abusive behavior.
What do you think? Does cyberbullying deserve the protection of "free speech"?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Wow, what a great slide show. Basically, students' free speech is protected unless school administration can prove that the students' actions are vulgar or create a "material and substantial disruption to the school environment". So, one instance of bullying might be protected under free speech, but a continual campaign of harrassment would most likely not be protected.
In theory, cyberbullying is no different than telling someone they are ugly on a playground, so yes, I do believe that it is protected under free speech. While it is cruel, unfortunately, I do not think it is illegal to be mean. However, I am tired of people who do malicious and irresponsible acts hiding behind the first amendment. Children just need to be instilled with stronger ethics and morals at an earlier age in order to keep them from bullying at a later age.
Post a Comment