Mateo Gadsden Computers an Introduction Mrs.

Norris, Period 6

Limiting Students Online Speech How free are students? Technology, such as cell phones, texting, email, and Facebook, has changed communications. A growing problem with these new ways of communication is CYBER BULLYING within schools students. Should schools be allowed to restrict and use consequences based on what students say through texting and on the internet? Although some students abuse technology to bully others at school, schools should not limit students online speech. My reasons include that online bullying is not a major distraction in class, it isnt affecting most of the victims, and final, above all, speaking freely is protected by the United States Constitution. One reason why schools should not limit students online speech is because online bullying is not a major distraction to class. According to a Middle School Math Teacher whos class was be disrupted by a cyber-bullying incident admitted that that the talking in class was not a unique incident and that he occasionally has to tell his students to stop talking multiple times every week. Some may argue that cyber- bullying could cause a on campus or in class harassment Another reason why schools should not limit students online speech because the issue of online bullying does not affect the majority. According to a document the percent of students bullied in their lifetime is only 16.6% of the boys and 25% of the girls. Another document states that the percent of teachers who are not affected by cyber-bullying is 38.6% of the victims. Some people might use the studies done by hinduja and patchin to say that by

Mateo Gadsden Computers an Introduction Mrs. Norris, Period 6

limiting students online speech that they could lower the % of students that have been cyberbullied. My last reason why schools should not limit students online speech is because we need to keep with the ideals of our constitutional framework. According to a document a school district violated J.S.s first amendment free speech rights when the school district suspended her for creating a hateful MySpace profile about her principle. According to another document they believe that any restrictions aiming at speech rights are a step in the wrong direction. Some may argue that when such harassment is based on race, color, nationality, origin, sex, or disability, violates the civil rights that are enforced by O.C.R. Some people might support limiting students online speech because some students abuse technology to bully others , also, some might say that by limiting online speech it could lower the number of students bullied, and lastly some might ask for legal punishment if bullying is based on race, color, nationality, origin, sex, or disability. However the people that dont support limiting students online speech argue that incidents online do not affect the school; others say that most victims are not affected, lastly speaking freely is protected by the constitution.