Students forced to give passwords...

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Replies

  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    I do believe that schools should use cellphone signal blockers inside the school so that kids can not use a cellphone during school.
    We allow our students to use cell phones during school. They cannot have it out while in an academic building so we don't compromise the integrity of tests and quizzes, but they can pull them out when they step out of a building to go to their next class. They can use them during their free periods, during lunch, before and after school and in the library. We're like a small college campus so our goal is to teach them the responsible use of freedom. They're all going to have cell phones in college or in the workforce, so our approach is to teach them when it is appropriate and when it is not. They have steep consequences if they're caught with it in an academic building. First offense is a $75 fine to get it back and a PH (penance hall, like a detention). Second offense is a $150 fine and another PH. They learn quickly to follow the rules.
  • will010574
    will010574 Posts: 761 Member
    Then you are a sheep slowly eroding the freedoms and civil liberties better men and women then you have spent hundreds of years protecting!
    LOL. Yes, the fact that I work in a high school and find FB a means of open communication with students, and provide my administrators with my password so they can then ensure the safety of the students, I am a sheep. I work at a Catholic school, so I could get into how being a sheep is not a bad thing as you intended, but that would totally derail the thread and I'm already doing that with Spicoli and Mr. Hand references. But, thanks for playing.

    Without even getting into the Catholic priest conspiracy to keep people in the dar about the assaults they were committing....you missed my point. You look at it as its no big deal if my boss has my FB password. It becomes commonplace and next it is the password to your bank account to make sure we teach kids how to be responsible with money, and then it's something else and then something else.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    Schools should NOT be regulating Facebook use, aside from whether or not it can be accessed in school. As I've said before, it's no different to going to a park and standing watching the children/teenagers there, in case they light a cigarette or start a fight.
    I guess we're just talking about different expectations of faculty and administrators in assisting with the formation of students then. The parents at our school thank us for helping them monitor FB. You'd be surprised how many of our students send faculty and administrators friend requests. I guess we're just in different places with different expectations. And that's cool.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    Without even getting into the Catholic priest conspiracy to keep people in the dar about the assaults they were committing....you missed my point.
    Huh? Please don't even suggest that Catholics are not just as outraged by things done in the name of Christianity or by betraying trust. Those actions are deplorable. Yet, it's very typical for someone debating with a Catholic on any issue to throw that out there. Not very original of you. Anyway.....
    You look at it as its no big deal if my boss has my FB password. It becomes commonplace and next it is the password to your bank account to make sure we teach kids how to be responsible with money, and then it's something else and then something else.
    I was only talking about MY boss because of where I work. I wouldn't have a problem if all teachers who had a FB account had to have theirs monitored.
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    Schools should NOT be regulating Facebook use, aside from whether or not it can be accessed in school. As I've said before, it's no different to going to a park and standing watching the children/teenagers there, in case they light a cigarette or start a fight.
    I guess we're just talking about different expectations of faculty and administrators in assisting with the formation of students then. The parents at our school thank us for helping them monitor FB. You'd be surprised how many of our students send faculty and administrators friend requests. I guess we're just in different places with different expectations. And that's cool.

    I'm not sure we are disagreeing as much as you think. Arguing on a snooping/password permission level, yes, perhaps, but I think you mentioned earlier (and have again alluded to it in the above post?) that you let pupils exercise choice? You ask to see their pages, but don't push them. You don't make them give their passwords, you simply ask to see what they've been up to. If they don't want to show it, they don't, and if they want to add teachers as a friend then it's their decision. THAT, I think is fine. Leave the children in control and I think you forge a strong and useful relationship - take away their privacy and you destroy it.
  • TheWinman
    TheWinman Posts: 684 Member
    I do believe that schools should use cellphone signal blockers inside the school so that kids can not use a cellphone during school.
    We allow our students to use cell phones during school. They cannot have it out while in an academic building so we don't compromise the integrity of tests and quizzes, but they can pull them out when they step out of a building to go to their next class. They can use them during their free periods, during lunch, before and after school and in the library. We're like a small college campus so our goal is to teach them the responsible use of freedom. They're all going to have cell phones in college or in the workforce, so our approach is to teach them when it is appropriate and when it is not. They have steep consequences if they're caught with it in an academic building. First offense is a $75 fine to get it back and a PH (penance hall, like a detention). Second offense is a $150 fine and another PH. They learn quickly to follow the rules.

    If all schools had the policy your school does and enforced them, then I would say go for it. But in most schools it appears that kids use them (especially texting) all the time when they shouldn't. I dare parents to look at the detailed texting/calling on your phone bill of your high school kid and see the times it's in use. Many would be amazed. :)
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    I'm not sure we are disagreeing as much as you think. Arguing on a snooping/password permission level, yes, perhaps, but I think you mentioned earlier (and have again alluded to it in the above post?) that you let pupils exercise choice? You ask to see their pages, but don't push them. You don't make them give their passwords, you simply ask to see what they've been up to. If they don't want to show it, they don't, and if they want to add teachers as a friend then it's their decision. THAT, I think is fine. Leave the children in control and I think you forge a strong and useful relationship - take away their privacy and you destroy it.
    We're probably disagreeing more on the parenting issue. :smile:
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    If all schools had the policy your school does and enforced them, then I would say go for it. But in most schools it appears that kids use them (especially texting) all the time when they shouldn't. I dare parents to look at the detailed texting/calling on your phone bill of your high school kid and see the times it's in use. Many would be amazed. :)
    Agreed. We're fortunate that our parents support our policies. If this was done at a public school, the administration would probably have parents up in their face about taking away their child's property or something ridiculous like that. We would never have a parent be upset at us for asking to see their son's FB (again, I'm not talking about forcing them to give us a password). Sometimes when I'm online in my office, I'll see a student come online in my FB feed. If I know that student is supposed to be in class, I'll send a message saying, "How are you on FB when you're supposed to be in math"? One time I did that, the reply I got was, "This is Mrs. Adams and I'm checking Drew's FB.....please don't tell him you saw me on here". LOL
  • will010574
    will010574 Posts: 761 Member
    Without even getting into the Catholic priest conspiracy to keep people in the dar about the assaults they were committing....you missed my point.
    Huh? Please don't even suggest that Catholics are not just as outraged by things done in the name of Christianity or by betraying trust. Those actions are deplorable. Yet, it's very typical for someone debating with a Catholic on any issue to throw that out there. Not very original of you. Anyway.....
    You look at it as its no big deal if my boss has my FB password. It becomes commonplace and next it is the password to your bank account to make sure we teach kids how to be responsible with money, and then it's something else and then something else.
    I was only talking about MY boss because of where I work. I wouldn't have a problem if all teachers who had a FB account had to have theirs monitored.

    I am Catholic went to Catholic school almost all the way through high school and yes I'm outraged, but it is a great point on why we shouldn't just hand over our civil liberties.

    And it is wrong for any let alone ALL teachers or police or any citizens to have their FB monitored by their employers! Should the police have theirs monitored? They represent the city? With your rationale everyone should be monitored. Then we can count on Big Brother to make all of our decisions or to tell us what appropriate decisions are ... For our own good of course!


    You just sai
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    And it is wrong for any let alone ALL teachers or police or any citizens to have their FB monitored by their employers! Should the police have theirs monitored? They represent the city? With your rationale everyone should be monitored. Then we can count on Big Brother to make all of our decisions or to tell us what appropriate decisions are ... For our own good of course!
    I'm referring to teachers because they are the ones around children as a profession.
  • will010574
    will010574 Posts: 761 Member
    And it is wrong for any let alone ALL teachers or police or any citizens to have their FB monitored by their employers! Should the police have theirs monitored? They represent the city? With your rationale everyone should be monitored. Then we can count on Big Brother to make all of our decisions or to tell us what appropriate decisions are ... For our own good of course!
    I'm referring to teachers because they are the ones around children as a profession.

    And what I am saying is that is how the erosion of our civil liberties starts. We as citizens gladly give up our own rights and it goes a little further and a little further each day. You think it is okay for all teachers to be monitored and then it is a slippery slope to all Dr's then all police then all of us.
    And I understand as teachers/schools you are in a precarious position. Some parents say why didn't you know this was happening others say how dare you snoop etc. it's a no win, but the answer isn't to degrade our rights or our children's rights.
  • Jon_Rod
    Jon_Rod Posts: 158
    It's not just schools - some employers are asking for passwords or asking applicants to log into their facebook accounts so they can take a look at them.



    I was about to say the same thing.....Crazy, where is our freedom to say what the f**k we want....
  • Cindylou321
    Cindylou321 Posts: 66
    I wish any employer or school principle luck trying to get my or my kids passwords... Not going to give up my rights or my kids right without a FIGHT
  • h0kieerin
    h0kieerin Posts: 11 Member
    As long as you don't hold me responsible for any cyber bullying that may occur on your child's Facebook (inside or outside school hours), I say keep your Facebook passwords.

    Too often parents want the school to stop cyber bullying but don't patrol their kids online activities. From what I've read, the parents posting here at NOT the problem. So often a few people spoil it for everyone.
  • dictations
    dictations Posts: 199
    My FB name has always been under an alias name, and I use an email that no one IRL knows about, so I'm not worried.
    I would have been LIVID if my school has tried to pull this bulls*it.

    I HATE how minors are stripped of their basic rights, especially to privacy. ''WAAAAAAH I'M THEIR PARENT, I CAN GOVERN THEM AS MUCH AS I WANT!!!!''
    Listen dear, they're your kids, not your possessions.

    I'll never understand people like you, macpatti, not giving your own kids some freedom. So, you put them on Earth , involuntarily, and in return, you seem to refuse to give them some breathing room. As in, zero sense of privacy in ''your house''. It must suck a** to be under lock and key at all times.
  • umachanxo
    umachanxo Posts: 926 Member
    My high school forced students to give their passwords to catch them for jigging. It was the seniors at the time that did it together on one day. Silliest part? The ones that did it had great attendance and had the highest grades.
  • brittanylock09
    brittanylock09 Posts: 194 Member
    Why does a 13 year old need a Facebook page? My son is 12 and asked for one and I said NO.

    My brother is 13 and has had one since he was 11. He's just a kid. He only plays games on it.
  • glennstoudt
    glennstoudt Posts: 403 Member
    Excuse me for being blunt but I told my sons school to fu_ck off and get a warrant.

    I then told them if they wanted to see a pissed off nasty facebook posting on that schools administration they better get a warrant for my facebook account.

    This is the same school my son was continually bullied, we complained many times (and found out others had about this bully) and finally my kid was cornered. My son had been taking krav maga for 3+ years, no one really knew it and he completely destroyed the bully. Cowardly admins wanted to suspend my son as the agressor until my lawyer walked in with a ton of evidence showing the admins ducked their heads in the sand about this particular child (I am sure it had nothingt o do with it being the grandson of the local mayor). Everything magically went away....

    God- I hate nit picking, feel good admins who hew to zero tolerance policy BS so that they dont have to thin or use common sense. When does the pendulum begin to swing back the other way?


    It swings back the other way when we vote the freedom robbing federal liberals out of office. Next Chance, November. Don't miss it.
  • rugbyphreak
    rugbyphreak Posts: 509 Member
    WOW! Hell to the NO. Did you read the part of them having to unlock their cell phones in the principles office?! WTF is that?!

    I'd wreak havoc!

    When phones were taken off of students in my high school, they would search through the phones. One girl took her battery out and refused to give it to them. She said there is nothing she can do with a battery so what is the problem. They suspended her out of school for a week because they couldn't look through her phone.

    i had the same thing happen to me in high school. i took out the battery and the SIM card before i gave up my phone. they were absolutely irate! theirs nothing i could do with just a battery and a card, but theirs also nothing they could do with just a phone, no power, no memory. they threatened to suspend me and kept my phone after school hours, so i went home, told my mom, and she came to school the next day and unleashed hell. needless to say, i didn't get suspended, the principal apologized, and i never had my phone taken away again.
  • futuremalestripper
    futuremalestripper Posts: 467 Member
    In California where police are legally able to go through phones of the people they arrest, there is a restriction that says they can't if the phone has a password on it. I don't see how a school has more power than the police. I would tell my kids to never give up their password. I'd sooner homeschool them.

    As for Facebook, what is that?
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member

    Its an interesting thing though. I'll tell ya, the law hasn't quite caught up with technology. When I was in high school, if you got caught passing notes, the teacher took the note and read it. That is kind of accepted. But lets say you get caught texting- can the teacher read the text? Can the teacher read all your texts? Can the teacher also look at your pics? Your apps? Your FB which is linked onto your smart phone? Your FB messages??

    The law hasn't answered these questions yet. But I think parents have a right to say "hell no" and make a court come to a decision about it rather than just let the school get away with it.

    I work as a teacher at a private K-8 school. One day, the Assistant VP was out on the playground watching the kids. One of the students had her cell phone with her, which buzzed with a new text message alert. Not allowed to have phones in school, the cell phone was confiscated. The text message, which was still on the screen, said "Where's the pot?" Obviously, this was read by the Assistant VP, who immediately determined a search needed to take place. This girl's book bag was searched and voila, an entire Kroger's plastic grocery bag full of marijuana was found, along with a lot of money. It just so happened the DARE officer was on the grounds that day.

    Needless to say, the girl was immediately suspended from school, and the DARE officer weighed it right there and then, and it was just an ounce or two under felony limits for "distribution". The girl should have been expelled, but our principal at the time was weak and didn't want the school to lose the tuition.

    Was that Assistant VP wrong in reading that text? Or did she do the right thing if it resulted in getting drugs OUT of the school? Thoughts?

    My daughter's HS recently was visited by drug sniffing dogs that patrolled the hallways and classrooms searching for drugs. In one visit, those dogs alerted and caught 244 students with drugs on them or in their possession. That's HUGE and I applaud the HS administrators for doing that. My child was not involved, thankfully, but I am glad they did what they did because it sends a message that the school reinforces their zero tolerance issue.

    I'm all for searching through lockers and book bags, IF they are on school property. But, I'm not cool with the idea of searching FB, UNLESS there is just cause to do so, which should be done via warrant.

    As for the bullying issue -- I say if a kid is getting bullied and nobody is helping, that kid has EVERY right to defend himself/herself if they feel they are being threatened. My daughter takes mixed martial arts and, in the event she is attacked and ends up seriously harming the person who did it, then THEY DESERVED it, and I will totally support her 100%.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    x
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I have to say one last thing, I am absolutely amazed at the attitudes of teachers and admins who think they have rights above and beyond a child's right to privacy (and really this goes beyond that because you are meddling in family business). This is amazing to me, and I think it speaks very loudly to many problems we have today where someone else thinks they know whats better for you than you do.

    I understand that sometimes issues feed into other issues, and it feels like you want to jump in to "help"; not only help, but prevent something else. But, it's is a slippery slope. Where does it stop? What if my child has a bank account? Are you going to want access to see if there is something suspicious going on? It's not out of the realm of possibilities here, from what I am hearing. Afterall, if a child has an active account, maybe they are a drug dealer. Maybe, they are doing something they shouldn't be? Or, maybe, you should mind your own business and teach them math or something. Stay out. It's really beyond even being reasonable.

    I was one of those kids you didn't want your kid hanging around. And, I am telling you from experience, even at age 13, if I didn't want you to know something, you weren't going to know. So, no amount of facebook or whatever else would do anything. Even back then drug deals were never done on the phone. If they do stuff texting, that's just idiotic white kid crap that aren't REALLY bad kids at all. The bad ones will never text about a drug deal. They know that's public record. God, you guys think kids are stupid. The smart ones, the ones really getting in deep, you'll never catch them. You're cathcing the dumb ones that aren't really that much trouble. I guess thats one reason why this makes me mad, you're not even penetrating the real issue at all. It's just surface upwardly mobile middle america white kid crap.
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    *apologize in advance for not reading entire thread*

    I'm a high school teacher.

    Our school system doesn't do anything like this (asking kids to turn over the FB passwords) and I wouldn't want them to. I PARENT too many kids during the school day enough, I don't want to have to worry about what the heck they do online.

    Being a teacher and a varsity basketball coach, I get absolutely bashed on Facebook by....wait for it....adults. Not students. My students and players know I care for them and have their best interest at heart. However, "momma bear" (so dumb) and big daddy have their own opinions and think the solution for disagreeing with my decisions is to drag me through the mud on the world wide web.

    I mainly just came on this thread to say, please parent your child correctly about how to use social media and use it correctly yourself. Lead by example.

    PS - I'm a parent myself and I know how I was raised as well (my mom was tough on me and my dad set standards that made me not want to disappoint him). One good thing about being a teacher and coach is learning/reinforcing how to *not* treat people.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    *apologize in advance for not reading entire thread*

    I'm a high school teacher.

    Our school system doesn't do anything like this (asking kids to turn over the FB passwords) and I wouldn't want them to. I PARENT too many kids during the school day enough, I don't want to have to worry about what the heck they do online.

    Being a teacher and a varsity basketball coach, I get absolutely bashed on Facebook by....wait for it....adults. Not students. My students and players know I care for them and have their best interest at heart. However, "momma bear" (so dumb) and big daddy have their own opinions and think the solution for disagreeing with my decisions is to drag me through the mud on the world wide web.

    I mainly just came on this thread to say, please parent your child correctly about how to use social media and use it correctly yourself. Lead by example.

    PS - I'm a parent myself and I know how I was raised as well (my mom was tough on me and my dad set standards that made me not want to disappoint him). One good thing about being a teacher and coach is learning/reinforcing how to *not* treat people.

    I keep wondering where teachers and school admin have time to chase kids around on facebook.
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member
    *apologize in advance for not reading entire thread*

    I'm a high school teacher.

    Our school system doesn't do anything like this (asking kids to turn over the FB passwords) and I wouldn't want them to. I PARENT too many kids during the school day enough, I don't want to have to worry about what the heck they do online.

    Being a teacher and a varsity basketball coach, I get absolutely bashed on Facebook by....wait for it....adults. Not students. My students and players know I care for them and have their best interest at heart. However, "momma bear" (so dumb) and big daddy have their own opinions and think the solution for disagreeing with my decisions is to drag me through the mud on the world wide web.

    I mainly just came on this thread to say, please parent your child correctly about how to use social media and use it correctly yourself. Lead by example.

    PS - I'm a parent myself and I know how I was raised as well (my mom was tough on me and my dad set standards that made me not want to disappoint him). One good thing about being a teacher and coach is learning/reinforcing how to *not* treat people.

    I love this! Yes, I too have been nothing but bashed by parents all year long this year, wanting to "get me" for any and all things I do. Their child doesn't like being told to stop being disruptive, be quiet and sit down? A complaint. Told to help clean the classroom floors? Call the health department! Told to stop leaning back because they can fall, hit their head and get a concussion? ABUSE! This is TOTAL crap, in my opinion.

    I'm sick of parents with the "don't you DARE try to discipline my child" attitude, or the "I know my child would NEVER do that you must be lying" attitude.

    AND YES, MOM AND DAD - YOUR KIDS ARE ON FACEBOOK BULLYING EACH OTHER. Don't think it doesn't happen. Your darling little princess is a bully, the teachers know this, other students know this, it's time you get your heads out of the sand and admit it. And if you want us "teachers" to do something about it, then allow us to intervene in the only ways we know how - by having access to their facebook accounts, and if their phones get confiscated, then text messages appear DURING SCHOOL TIME, too bad so sad for your kid. They want privacy? LEAVE EM AT HOME and STAY OFF THE INTERNET.
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member
    I have to say one last thing, I am absolutely amazed at the attitudes of teachers and admins who think they have rights above and beyond a child's right to privacy (and really this goes beyond that because you are meddling in family business). This is amazing to me, and I think it speaks very loudly to many problems we have today where someone else thinks they know whats better for you than you do.

    I understand that sometimes issues feed into other issues, and it feels like you want to jump in to "help"; not only help, but prevent something else. But, it's is a slippery slope. Where does it stop? What if my child has a bank account? Are you going to want access to see if there is something suspicious going on? It's not out of the realm of possibilities here, from what I am hearing. Afterall, if a child has an active account, maybe they are a drug dealer. Maybe, they are doing something they shouldn't be? Or, maybe, you should mind your own business and teach them math or something. Stay out. It's really beyond even being reasonable.

    I was one of those kids you didn't want your kid hanging around. And, I am telling you from experience, even at age 13, if I didn't want you to know something, you weren't going to know. So, no amount of facebook or whatever else would do anything. Even back then drug deals were never done on the phone. If they do stuff texting, that's just idiotic white kid crap that aren't REALLY bad kids at all. The bad ones will never text about a drug deal. They know that's public record. God, you guys think kids are stupid. The smart ones, the ones really getting in deep, you'll never catch them. You're cathcing the dumb ones that aren't really that much trouble. I guess thats one reason why this makes me mad, you're not even penetrating the real issue at all. It's just surface upwardly mobile middle america white kid crap.

    If you don't want us teachers to "interfere", then the next time your kid comes home bullied, has been threatened or is failing due to his/her own accord, then don't come to us and expect us to help, because that would be "interfering". Deal?

    And if we hear that someone is planning to bring a gun to school (trust me, we teachers learn LOTS of interesting things just by listening to students run their mouths all the time), or a student of ours is depressed and suicidal, then we will make sure not to "interfere". Deal?
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member
    *apologize in advance for not reading entire thread*

    I'm a high school teacher.

    Our school system doesn't do anything like this (asking kids to turn over the FB passwords) and I wouldn't want them to. I PARENT too many kids during the school day enough, I don't want to have to worry about what the heck they do online.

    Being a teacher and a varsity basketball coach, I get absolutely bashed on Facebook by....wait for it....adults. Not students. My students and players know I care for them and have their best interest at heart. However, "momma bear" (so dumb) and big daddy have their own opinions and think the solution for disagreeing with my decisions is to drag me through the mud on the world wide web.

    I mainly just came on this thread to say, please parent your child correctly about how to use social media and use it correctly yourself. Lead by example.

    PS - I'm a parent myself and I know how I was raised as well (my mom was tough on me and my dad set standards that made me not want to disappoint him). One good thing about being a teacher and coach is learning/reinforcing how to *not* treat people.

    I keep wondering where teachers and school admin have time to chase kids around on facebook.

    We don't. However, we do hear from parents who complain their child is being bullied on Facebook. When we offer suggestions as to how to address the situation, they respond with "Buuuuuut my child has the right to be on Facebook". Well then, deal with the ramifications of your child's choices to be on there.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Outrageous. If I were a parent, I would demand (one would hope with the support of other parents) to talk to the school administration, and move my way up. Then I'd contact the ACLU. The story says their plaintiff is pseudonymous. Makes sense because of fear of repercussions.

    This is not to say that student shouldn't be carefully counseled about what to post on sites like Facebook.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    *apologize in advance for not reading entire thread*

    I'm a high school teacher.

    Our school system doesn't do anything like this (asking kids to turn over the FB passwords) and I wouldn't want them to. I PARENT too many kids during the school day enough, I don't want to have to worry about what the heck they do online.

    Being a teacher and a varsity basketball coach, I get absolutely bashed on Facebook by....wait for it....adults. Not students. My students and players know I care for them and have their best interest at heart. However, "momma bear" (so dumb) and big daddy have their own opinions and think the solution for disagreeing with my decisions is to drag me through the mud on the world wide web.

    I mainly just came on this thread to say, please parent your child correctly about how to use social media and use it correctly yourself. Lead by example.

    PS - I'm a parent myself and I know how I was raised as well (my mom was tough on me and my dad set standards that made me not want to disappoint him). One good thing about being a teacher and coach is learning/reinforcing how to *not* treat people.

    You're quite right. The problem isn't always the kids. It's the parents.