Cyberbullying+and+the+Law--Application+to+First+Amendment


 * //__ Cyberbullying and the Law--Application to the First Amendment __//**
 * // ( //****// materials are online) //**

**Relevant not only to the law, but also to the lives of students **Supreme Court has not as yet decided whether public schools are infringing on students privacy rights by looking at Cyberbullying issues

Key Cases:
 * 1) Tinker v. Des Moines: schools can restrict speech if it interferes with rights of students, or substantially disrupts work and discipline
 * 2) Fraser--speech can be prohibited if lewd, indecent or plainly offensive
 * 3) Hazelwood--school can censor speech in school-sponsored activities (like newspaper or theater) when the public might reasonably believe that school is endorsing the message presented.
 * 4) Morse v. Frederick--schools can restrict speech if it is pro-drug during a school-sponsored event.

Scenarios:
 * Kara: Real case; this is a discussion page, outside of school. School may be wrong here.
 * Tim: Time did everything possible wrong that he could do. Not a real case, but made up. On school property, using school computer, creating a hate site....
 * Katherine: This is free expression, should be protected? But can this potentially be disruptive to the school? If it interferes with the discipline in the school, then perhaps it should be restricted.
 * Evans v. Bayer--actual case. Court did not dismiss suit; said protection for a student is stronger off campus vs. on campus; therefore the speech should be protected, and student's first amendment rights were violated. School settled case out of court.
 * Joe and Sam: If emails belonged school, then strong argument for school to act. But if not, the speech is likely protected. Remind students that the initial source of the information is responsible--so if copies of the email are passed around the school, then the originator of the email is responsible.
 * Becca: Principal did not authority to suspend Becca for her speech, but there are likely criminal charges which can be brought (threatening the Sarah).

Legislative Hearing activity looks really cool...Have the school reflect on their experiences after the activity.