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| photo by KimNowacki, used under Creative Commons license. |
It's WASC time! A period, we will finish up the task from last week. Second period, you will work on School Culture and Climate.
Do NOT complete web assignments for this week. They are undergoing a major overhaul and will be ready by Wednesday at which time we will discuss the changes.
Worknight is December 10 immediately after school until the cows come home. Well, actually, it will be after that time since cows come home at dark. So, really, it's until 9 or so.
I think this is kind've stupid. But I understand that they are trying to do the right thing by reading the text message. They shouldn't have to read the text message aloud but I think it should be fine if read to self. In addition, how can they determine sexting from just joking with friends? Some people do text inappropriate stuff nowadays.
ReplyDeleteMelissa DeCastro
Although teachers are worried about teens "sexting" and violating/breaking laws, that's not the case for all teenagers. They may be getting their phones taken away, but teachers should not go through their text messages. I think it's a big invasion of privacy, and they shouldn't have the right to go through phones. There might be something personal in the text messages or something the student wouldn't want anyone to know.
ReplyDeleteBefore I read the article, I disagreed with the article. Now, I don't know if I'm on the brink of agreeing or disagreeing. It makes sense to look through students text messages for safety issues, but it's also an invasion of privacy if they were just texting their mom, dad or friend. Even though students shouldn't text in class, I sort of agree with this article because many people do get cyber bullied by text.
ReplyDeleteWell, obviously rules are rules and we must abide to them or else we must pay the consequences. First of all, students should not even have their cell phones out. But honestly, I don't think teachers should have the right to take away ones cell phones and read through the texts. How would they feel if someone did that to them? I mean, yes, there is the exception of cyber bullying, but there should be another way to solve this problem without having to go through ones personal accounts. If the teachers feel they have a right to look through their messages, they must give a legitimate excuse, rather than just, "Oh, I think you're bullying people." They can ban cellphones in the classroom, but do they really have the right to read through private messages?
ReplyDeleteI do understand that they are just doing this for safety reasons, but reading someone's text message is going a little over. I think that students should have their own privacy. but, they shouldn't text. So if they ever do, the teachers should just ONLY take the phones away.
ReplyDeleteNo teachers shouldn't be able to because that is personal information. If I wanted people to know my business I would just yell it out loud.
ReplyDeleteBettina Tan
ReplyDeleteI don't think teachers should read student's text messages. The students obviously don't want their teachers to read their text messages. If they wanted the teachers to read it, they would of send the text message to them. I know that they probably wanted to prevent other kids from being bullied, but people should find another way to catch bullies instead of going through the students phones. Also, I don't get why Tyler Clementi killed himself just because a student posted a sexual video. Sure he looks bad, but he should of thought of the consequences of what he did and let it blow over. He didn't have to kill himself though. Also why is a friend's mom trying to bully a girl through myspace? Sheesh go find something better to do...
This article is very interesting and brings up an important issue. Should teachers be able to violate the privacy of students in order to keep them safe? It is obvious that this is not only an invasion of privacy, but quite inappropriate. Also, how would a teacher decide whether or not they should take a student's cell phone? What would a student have to do to make a teacher "suspect that a search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school?"
ReplyDeleteThis is yet another blow against students' rights. I completely oppose the notion that teachers can read students' text messages. That is crazy! I just can't comprehend why this is even considered a possible law. I agree with those who commented here before me. Yes, take the phones away, but don't look through texts! If something is really up, only certified officials, NOT TEACHERS, should be able to look through.
ReplyDeleteI dont think this is really fair for the students, but what do i care i live in California.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I don't live in Virginia because passing a law to allow teachers to go through students' texts is an invasion of privacy. I'm pretty sure that any student would agree with me that a teacher, whom they see everyday, should not have rights to read their personal texts and view their photos just because of 'suspicion' of cyber bullying or sexting.
ReplyDeleteI think that although it is unreasonable to take a cellphone and look through their text messages, and it may be abused, but in essence they are trying to stop cyber-bullying, and other inappropriate texts. As a result of no objection, I don't think anyone has found a reason against it. Students will try to object this matter, just like dress codes that are usually violated.
ReplyDeleteI think the school has the right to confiscate students' phone and even check through their text messages. As mentioned in the article, the main reason for reading students' text messages was to prevent cyberbullying. School has the right to check students' backpack and lockers if they suspect drugs in students' locker. This is mentioned in the school district code. Students should not have cellphones during school in the first place. I don't think it is a problem of amendment rights. I think teachers need enough proof to search students' property. This can solve most students/ complain of violating their rights.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is that big a deal for a school to look through a student's cell phone IF they feel that the student is being bullied, or might pose a threat to the school. And from a students point of view, if a student has nothing to hide then it really isn't a problem. If there was a risk of the student being bullied then it is the school's responsibility to react, and if this is how they feel they can combat it, so be it.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that no one, even a parent has a right to look through any one elses text messages. If a teacher feels that there is evidence of bullying on a cell phone then they need to bring that up with the police. They do not have the right to read someone elses personal information. If there is an issue it needs to be brought up to the police, not taken into the hands of a teacher.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't not agree with people looking through my things. I carry a bunch of personal things in my bag and locker. Especially looking through my phone, there are many things that I don't want me to read or see. Let's just say, it's a good thing I live in California.
ReplyDeleteWhile cyberbullying is becoming an undeniably larger issue, it is still a complete invasion of student rights and general privacy for teachers to read text messages. I think this goes back to the issue about how technology is becoming so advanced (and in turn, issues like cyberbullying are on the rise) but people don't know how to deal or what laws to enforce about it because such laws don't exist yet. Arguably, student rights are limited in schools, especially when the offense may pose threat to the school environment, but in this case we're just completely taking advantage of the fact that student rights can be narrowed. Yes, there is a considerable chance that students are violating other laws while texting but it's still just a chance and we shouldn't be violating privacy just on whims. Just take the phone away - there's no need to check the contents unless there's some kind of substantial evidence that points at a more serious offense than having a phone out during class.
ReplyDeleteMy main concern is, how do they determine "reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated or is violating either the law or the rules of the school." ? That's a very loose term. Do teachers need hard evidence? Does the student need to have a similar instance of what they are being suspected of on their record? or can anybody be suspected of anything just because a teacher says so?
ReplyDeleteTeachers and administration should only have this right if it is a documented case with legitimate grounds of a need for investigation.
ReplyDeleteIf the student in question was using their cell phone in class, the teacher does have the right to confiscate the phone. However, the right to scroll through the student's phone is questionable. If the teacher is concerned with the student being a bully, then the teacher should consult with the principal/police. The teacher should not take it upon herself to solve the student's problems.
ReplyDeleteI find it really inappropriate to go through someone's personal business, especially one's text. If it is really necessary to go through it, then they should have a special warrant that police must get from the courts in order to search someone's house. There is nothing wrong with "sexting" because it is their own personal business. That's like testing girls for being virgins.
ReplyDeleteOverall, it is invasion of privacy. Teachers have the right to confiscate cell phones if stated in the policy, but it is not okay to read through the texts. Students and their sex life are private and should remain private. Would teachers or administrations agree to have their phones checked by their superiors? No.
ReplyDeleteI believe this law was set down for beneficial purposes, but it can also encourage misuse of powers. Teachers/administrators do not have the right to check through messages.
ReplyDeleteI strongly disagree with this law. I do not believe that teachers have the right to look through personal archives. However I do believe that if the student is disrupting the class then the teacher may take away their phone and turn it in to the office.
ReplyDeleteOf course students have limited privacy and public online, but ultimately is it up to the student to not engage in cyber-bullying and sexting and what else is a bad thing during and after school. But a phone is becoming more of a personal item, so I am against others looking into files and reading email on it. It is an invasion of privacy.
ReplyDeleteI believe this law is not right. Teachers should not be able to go threw your cell phone that is your property. No matter what situation it is. I believe teachers do have the right to take your phone if it is distracting you from your classwork but not go threw you cell phone.
ReplyDeleteI think confiscating phones when they are being used in class is reasonable, but reading the student's texts is not. I understand administrators are trying to protect student's from bullying, but this law allowing invading privacy is not the way to do it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think teachers have any right to look through the text messages. That is invasion of privacy. And even if they are suspicious of a student cybebullying someone, then they should confront the student's parents or some other official. I think it is reasonalbe to talk the pone away, but unreasonalbe to look through the text.
ReplyDelete