Rights and Responsibilities

Users should have the right to privacy and understand how to keep information private.  With social media, blogs, etc, students have a difficult time understanding that privacy is important.  They need to understand that what they say/do on the web now, stays.  They need to understand the danger of predators and identity theft.   Freedom of speech is very important.  People should be able to freely express themselves, however, there needs to be some guidelines/protections in place for our young users.

I agree that freedom of speech is important. Legislation that attempts to reduce people's access to certain parts of the internet is concerning to me. At the same time, people need to be aware that free speech doesn't mean freedom from the repercussions of what they say. Old social media posts or blogs can still be found in many circustances, even after they are deleted.

I encourage the rights of privacy of students and not to offend others on line.    I explain to them that what they put out there on line stays there so to be wise and careful and not put anything negative out there that could have a negative affect on their lives or the lives of others in the future.  Teach the students not to harass others and report harassment of themselves by filing a formal grievance with the district and contacting the US department of Education's Office for Civil Rights if the harassment continues after contacting the Department of Justice's Community Relations Service who acts as a peacemaker.  

My Dad would tell us to be very careful what we put in writing before all this new technology.  And he said to never write a letter in anger and then send it until you read it over the next day.  I gives you time to think about it and see if you have misjudged the situation or the person.  I talk to the students if they have ever seen things differently the next day.  Most all admit they have so I encourage them to slow down and take it easy on judging others and to be very careful about what they put on line.