Cyber Bullying vs. Freedom of Speech – What Will the Courts Decide?
February 16th, 2010 by Rosemina Nazarali
Source: Lifeinitaly.com
A teenage student living in South Florida is taking action against her principal, Peter Bayer, after she was suspended for creating a Facebook page that was criticizing one of her teachers, Sarah Phelps. A federal judge has ruled that she can proceed with the lawsuit and it looks like Katherine Evans, 19, will be taking the case to court.
Evans, now in her second year at the University of South Florida, wants to have the suspension taken off her permanent record along with a “nominal fee,” stating that the suspension went against her First Amendment rights. The principal suspended Evans for three days, saying that her Facebook page was a case of cyber bullying.
Maria Kayanan, Evans’ lawyer, says this case “is an important victory both for Ms. Evans and Internet free speech.”
The actual Facebook page in question, titled “Ms. Sarah Phelps is the worst teacher I’ve ever had,” was created after Evans, who was an honour student throughout high school, continuously butted heads with Phelps over assignments. She invited past and present students of Phelps to comment and discuss her teaching ability. After just a few days, the Facebook page was deleted. It was two months later that Bayer called Evans into his office to suspend her.
This is definitely a case of cyber bullying versus freedom of speech. How far is too far and where should lawmakers draw the line? The case is set to appear in court this Spring and seems to have the potential to set ground-breaking rules regarding cyber bullying.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/education/16student.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Posted in Internet Safety | 
bullying, cyber bully, cyberbully, facebook, news, social media |
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