School officials accused of searching student's Facebook page

[Hum]

EVERETT, Wash. ? The American Civil Liberties Union is asking the Everett School District to apologize to a student because a supervisor pressured her to make her Facebook page available during an investigation of a complaint of cyber-bullying that involved other students.

The group sent a letter to Superintendent Gary Cohn on Friday regarding an incident last month involving a North Middle School vice principal and student Samantha Negrete, The Everett Herald reported.

"Our hope is to work together with the school district to find a resolution to this that allows Samantha to return to a safe and welcoming school environment," said Linda Mangel, an ACLU attorney.

Samantha said she did not willingly disclose the contents of her Facebook page. The ACLU said that the request for Toutant's transfer was made because Samantha fears "he will seek to abuse his power and punish her for reporting his illegal search."

Samantha is "being called a snitch, a tattletale," Mangel said. "She's being ostracized. She's afraid."

The group wants students to be formally notified that Samantha's Facebook page was involuntarily and improperly searched; for students to be trained on their rights and responsibilities in using online technology and their rights regarding school searches; and for a new school district policy outlining when school officials may access students' online accounts.

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[Growled Member]

That's a big no-no. I hope the school gets punished for that but I ain't holding my breath.

[farmeunit]

That's a big no-no. I hope the school gets punished for that but I ain't holding my breath.

Schools are always caught in the middle. The got a bullying report. They don't do it, then they get blamed. God forbid parents take responsibility to take care of stuff. They just want to blame people. I'd like to hear what the whole story is behind this.

I do agree that authorities should have been called first, though.

[Hum]

I wonder what is on the supervisor's Facebook ... :shifty:

[Anibal P]

Schools are always caught in the middle. The got a bullying report. They don't do it, then they get blamed. God forbid parents take responsibility to take care of stuff. They just want to blame people. I'd like to hear what the whole story is behind this.

I do agree that authorities should have been called first, though.

Cyber "bullying" while a made up "issue" is still not the schools problem, it should be reported to the parents of those involved.

[farmeunit]

Cyber "bullying" while a made up "issue" is still not the schools problem, it should be reported to the parents of those involved.

I agree, but there have also been cases of the schools not doing anything about even though it was reported. I don't think it's a "made up" issue either. I think it's actually more prevalent than regular bullying because kids think they have more anonymity then before. Instead of taking your lunch money or giving swirlies, it's posting bad comments on Facebook or Twitter which can be more damaging to someone's reputation or self-esteem.

[DrJohnSmitherson]

I always found it odd that schools get involved in cyber bullying. It doesn't take part at school o_O

[Anibal P]

I agree, but there have also been cases of the schools not doing anything about even though it was reported. I don't think it's a "made up" issue either. I think it's actually more prevalent than regular bullying because kids think they have more anonymity then before. Instead of taking your lunch money or giving swirlies, it's posting bad comments on Facebook or Twitter which can be more damaging to someone's reputation or self-esteem.

And cyber "bullying" is 100% preventable, your profiles don't have to be public at all, that is if you insist on using FB or any other "social" media, which again is not necessary at all

[COKid]

Cyber "bullying" while a made up "issue" is still not the schools problem, it should be reported to the parents of those involved.

Made up? Really? Ask this girl's parents if it's "made up".

http://en.wikipedia...._of_Megan_Meier

[primexx]

Made up? Really? Ask this girl's parents if it's "made up".

http://en.wikipedia...._of_Megan_Meier

couldn't have picked an example where the bully wasn't literally made up? :p

[Hum]

I don't see how you can be bullied on-line. Just tune them out.

[Growled Member]

I always found it odd that schools get involved in cyber bullying. It doesn't take part at school o_O

Schools take it upon themselves to get involved in everything these days.